Yuriy Sadula enters his third season on the Longwood men's soccer team in 2026. He was elevated to associate head coach on Aug. 20, 2025.
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.
The Lancers went 3-8-5 overall and 1-4-2 in the Big South Conference in 2025. Longwood earned victories over East Tennessee State, Elon and Presbyterian -- all at home -- on the season. The Lancers' 1-0 win against the Phoenix ended the Coastal Athletic Association school's seven-match unbeaten streak to begin the year and was Longwood's first against Elon since 1996.
Five players earned All-Big South honors at season's end. Senior Aaron Asamoah and sophomore Brando Bedolla were named to the second team, senior Joshua Yoder claimed honorable mention plaudits, while Benjamin Ferrero nabbed a spot on the Big South All-Freshman Team. Senior defender David Ambaek was named to the All-Academic Team.
Yoder signed a professional contract with USL League One side FC Naples in March 2026.
Sadula worked as a Team Liaison Officer for Bosnia and Herzegovina during FIFA World Cup 2026. He served as a primary conduit between FIFA, the host nations and the Bosnia and Herzegovina team, handling day-to-day logistics, transportation, protocol and security throughout that team's stay in the tournament.
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 Teofipol, 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.
