MONTGOMERY, Ala. --- Auburn University at Montgomery Director of Athletics Steve Crotz announced on Wednesday the hiring of Jamey Newsome as the fifth head coach of the Lady Senators' women's soccer program.

Newsome inherits a program that finished 15-5-2 last season and advanced to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament.

"Coach Newsome has been hired to lead our women's soccer program to the next level of achievement," Crotz said. "Jamey has extensive experience and contacts within the southeast regional club setting. It was important that AUM continue the focus on the development of the total person within our women's soccer program and I am confident we have found that individual in Coach Newsome. Throughout his 15 years of coaching experience, he has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field of competition. It was important to build on our recent success in the women's soccer program while maintaining the high academic standards and community involvement expectations for our program. I am confident that Coach Newsome is the perfect fit to guide our program to the next level."

A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Newsome joins the Lady Senators after spending the past three seasons as an assistant women's coach at Georgia Southern University. While with the Eagles, Newsome assisted head coach Ashley Hart in practice and on game day, while also being responsible for recruiting, travel and video analysis.

Prior to joining GSU, Newsome spent two years as the Assistant Director of the Darlington Soccer Academy in Rome, Ga. He also worked with the Cannons Soccer Club for three seasons, serving at Technical Director for two years, and later as Director of Coaching for one season. Newsome also coached at the prep level for two seasons at Madison High School in Marshall, N.C.

Newsome first joined the collegiate coaching ranks in 1999 at USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. as the assistant men's soccer coach. In his season with the Spartans, he helped the team to a 12-3-3 record and a final ranking of No. 16 in the nation.

In addition to his coaching resume, Newsome was also a part of the Georgia Olympic Development Program staff, the Georgia District Training staff, and currently holds a US Soccer Federation "B" coaching license.

Newsome played collegiately at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C., where he was a four-year starter for the Lions and earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1997.

Married to the former Jennifer Schommer, the couple has two daughters, Ryan and Leah, and resides in Montgomery.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to take over a well-respected women's soccer program like AUM," Newsome said. "I am grateful to Coach Crotz for having the confidence in me to lead this program."