Moving up from a four-year stint as assistant coach at Philadelphia University, Joseph Long has been hired as the Head Softball Coach for the Rams on June 30th, 2011.  Long replaces John Kelly, who resigned after the 2011 season and was recently named the new head coach at Chestnut Hill College.

Long was selected after a nationwide search attracted both regional and national attention.  He will begin his new duties immediately. 

“This was an important search for us, as the team came off a challenging finish last season,” said Athletic Director Tom Shirley.  “Joe has invaluable knowledge of this team and a familiarity with these players which will be an asset moving into next season.” 

Long has 16 years of experience as a head coach, serving in that position for eight years at both Rosemont College and at conference rival the University of the Sciences.  He has been with the Rams through their best seasons in program history, a 26-20 record in 2010 as hurler Ali Schmidt threw two perfect games, and a 25-21 record in 2009. 

The Bala Cynwyd native has also coached internationally, taking a handful of travel softball teams to Australia, Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland and Belgium. 

Long holds both a M.S. in secondary education from Saint Joseph’s University and a B.A. in archaeology/anthropology from Franklin Pierce College.