Yuriy Sadula enters his second season on the Longwood men's soccer team in 2025. He was elevated to associate head coach on August. 20.
Sadula joined the Longwood men's soccer staff in January 2024. He has worked under Gilbert for the last seven seasons after playing three years for him at NCAA Division II Lubbock Christian. After Sadula's graduation from LCU, he joined the Chaparrals' coaching staff in 2019, later following Gilbert to the NPSL's Lubbock Matadors and Indiana Tech of the NAIA.
In 2024 with the Lancers, Sadula helped guide Longwood to its first Big South tournament appearance since 2021. Longwood finished 5-10-3 overall and 2-4-1 in the league, winning its opening-round match on the road at UNC Asheville, 4-3, on Nov. 6 and advancing to the Big South semifinals. The first-round victory was the first of its kind for the Lancers since beating Asheville on Nov. 6, 2016.
"For the last seven years, Yuriy and I have coached together and he has been as much of a reason for our success as anyone," Gilbert said upon his his promotion. "He is one of the top young coaches in the country. His emotional intelligence, football coaching actions and excellent communication skills are only matched by his professionalism and work rate. Yuriy is a massive asset to our program and players. I couldn't be more excited that he has been promoted to associate head coach."
Sadula helped senior Ethan Stevenson to a breakout 13-goal campaign to land the Clover, S.C., native on the Big South first team. Junior midfielder Aaron Asamoah joined Stevenson on the first team, while forward Brando Bedolla earned a Big South All-Freshman Team selection.
Stevenson's goals-per-game average of 0.72 ranked 11th best in Division I and the 13 total goals were 13th overall in the country.
While at Indiana Tech under Gilbert, Sadula helped the Warriors advance to a pair of NAIA national tournaments, including trip to the Elite Eight in 2023. Indiana Tech won 26 games in his two seasons there with a record of 26-7-13.
A five-year player at Lubbock Christian, Sadula played in 68 matches. He holds the program record in both starts (66) and minutes played (5,807).
“He will be a massive part of everything we do and will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes. Beyond being an elite football mind, Yuriy's ability to build and maintain meaningful authentic relationships exemplifies what we value in our program."
Once Sadula transitioned into coaching, he helped guide the team to a winning record over three seasons with a 23-18-4 record, and the team advanced to the Lone Star Conference final in 2021, the first time as an NCAA program.
Sadula also helped coach two Lone Star Conference Defensive Players of the Year, two Freshmen of the Year, 15 all-conference honorees and four all-region players.
Sadula, a native of Ukraine, who spent time in London, England, holds a degree in economics, and he has an FA Level 1 Coaching License and his USSF E license.
