[GEORGE WASHINGTON] Welshman Craig Jones has been hired as George Washington's new head men's coach, replacing the retiring George Lidster.

"Through this season's impressive turnaround and our comprehensive national search, Craig emerged from a very strong pool of candidates as the right person to lead our men's soccer program into the future," said GW Director of Athletics and Recreation Patrick Nero. "He was instrumental to our team's improvement this year and our run to the Atlantic 10 regular-season co-championship and into the A-10 conference championship game. Craig's mentorship abilities and his vision for the program have our student-athletes poised to continue this season's successes next season and beyond."

In his final season as head coach, Lidster engineered a remarkable turnaround as the Colonials overcame their No. 13 ranking in the 14-team preseason A-10 coaches poll to tie for first in the regular-season standings.

Lidster was chosen the 2011 A-10 Coach of the Year, his third time he received the honor, and retired following the season as the program's all-time winningest head coach with 201 career wins.