LEXINGTON, Va. - VMI(m) men's soccer head coach Ben Freakley has resigned to accept a position at his alma mater, Georgia Southern University, as announced Wednesday by VMI athletic director Donny White. A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

"I believe Ben Freakley was a terrific soccer coach at VMI, and that he has devoted his heart and soul to VMI men's soccer," said White. "VMI will miss him greatly, and I hope he will feel good knowing that we are most appreciative of his good, hard work."

In his four seasons at VMI, Freakley became known for his recruiting, as he tabbed several all-conference and all-freshman players during that process. The list of players he helped bring to Lexington includes current Keydets Ayao Sossou and Brian Sowell. Sossou comes off a year in which he was named VaSID All-State, while Sowell is positioned statistically as one of the best goalies in VMI history and could challenge several program records during his upcoming senior season. Freakley also recruited several Virginia Olympic Development Program (ODP) players and a pair of Region I players this past year, as he brought David Rochow and Matt Seinfeld into the program.

In addition, the outgoing head coach also helped the Keydets to their best finish in the Big South, which came during the 2007 season. That year also saw VMI equal its school record for shutouts with five. Freakley helped improve the men's soccer culture at VMI, as the team embarked on a training trip to Spain in the summer of 2008, while also increasing its strength of schedule by taking on such schools as N.C. State and Virginia Tech. Academic honors were also plentiful for VMI during the past four seasons, including Daniel Welsh's two Academic All-District honors and Sonny Landry's Academic All-Conference honor this past year.

"It's difficult to say in a few sentences what four years have meant to me," said Freakley. "Players make the difference.  Their commitment, persistence, attitudes and desire have pushed me to be my best here. Nothing good would have come without their hard work and dedication. Each relationship with them is unique and I am blessed to know them. They have made me better. I would also like to thank Donny White and General Peay for their faith in me.  I appreciate what they have done for me and my family, in giving us a chance to be a part of this community and institution of the highest standards. My time at VMI has been filled with great rewards, and I am thankful for all of them."

In Freakley's absence, assistant Richie Rose has been named the interim head coach and will fill related responsibilities during the search for a permanent successor.