On Monday afternoon the Stony Brook Athletics Department released shocking news when they announced Beth O’Boyle has decided to resign from the position of head coach of the Women’s Basketball team, to take a head coaching job at Virginia Commonwealth University.

O’Boyle has held the position since April of 2011. She took the Seawolves from a four-win team during the first year of her tenure to a 24-win team this past season. During the 2013-2014 season Stony Brook finished second in their conference with a record of 13-3 in America East play, and received a bid in the WNIT.

She recently received the honor of being voted the 2014 Met Writers Coach of the Year.

Interim Director of Athletics Donna Woodruff released a statement about the resignation through a press release.

“In a short period of time, Coach O’Boyle helped the women’s basketball program to achieve great things here at Stony Brook, and I want to sincerely thank her for her efforts and wish her well on her future endeavors,” Woodruff said. “Our Seawolves women’s basketball program is truly on the rise, and we look forward to finding the right head coach who will ensure that we continue our upward momentum.”

Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Thomas Chen said the department had no further comments or information to give at this time.

O’Boyle will be formally introduced as VCU’s head coach in a press conference at the Siegel Center tomorrow at noon. She will be the team’s third head coach in the last four seasons.

The Stony Brook Athletics Department also said in their press release that the university will now begin a nationwide search to find O’Boyle’s replacement.

There is always the possibility Stony Brook could fill the position from within the organization. Todd Mitmesser has served as an assistant coach the last two seasons, and could be a candidate for the job.

David Vertsberger contributed to this report.