Fairfax, Va. -- George Mason Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Brad Edwards announced on Thursday that Mason Athletics has made a coaching change and men's soccer head coach Elmar Bolowich will not return for the 2022-23 season.

Bolowich served as George Mason's men's soccer head coach during the past two seasons. 

"Elmar was named the head coach prior to the start of COVID-19 and helped guide the program through extraordinary circumstances," Edwards said. "It proved to be a difficult transition in regard to rebuilding our program during the pandemic. Despite the condensed schedule, and the disruptive stops and starts of matches and team activities, our program was still able to move forward both academically and athletically. I'm appreciative of Elmar's leadership efforts during his time at George Mason and wish him the very best."

Prior to assuming the head coaching position at Mason, Bolowich won a national championship in 2001 with North Carolina and led Creighton to two consecutive College Cup appearances. 
 
"I am grateful to Brad Edwards for giving me the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at George Mason University," Bolowich said. "My hiring came at the most inopportune time. COVID-19 and recruiting restrictions made it extremely difficult to change the program. It took a toll on me personally, and started to affect my well-being. I want to thank my staff and all the administrators at George Mason for their help and support, and wish the best to our student-athletes."
 
Bolowich collected 397 career wins in a head coaching career spanning more than three decades.

"We are committed to finding a new voice to energize our men's soccer program and lead us in a highly-competitive Atlantic 10 Conference," Edwards shared. 

 A national search for George Mason's next head coach will begin immediately.