BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Long Island University Director of Athletics Dr. William E. Martinov Jr. has appointed Randy Lane as the first head coach for the newly added Sharks' gymnastics program, it was announced Wednesday.
 
Lane comes to LIU with a wealth of coaching experience at some of the top programs in the nation. During his career, he has assisted with the mentorship of over 75 All-Americans and a dozen individual National Champions. He has also helped guide three squads to National Championships in 2000, 2001, and 2018.
 
"I so appreciate the opportunity that Dr. Martinov and Dr. Kimberly Cline have entrusted me to lead the newly added women's gymnastics program," Lane said. "After speaking with administration at great length, I knew this would be a great fit for me as head coach. LIU's passion and support for adding gymnastics, and the philosophy of positive learning and growth for student athletes coincides perfectly with my own core values and coaching philosophy. I am truly excited to start to establish the first family of talented and dedicated coaches and athletes, and work toward creating a legacy at LIU."
 
With over 25 years of coaching experience, Lane began his career as an assistant coach at UCLA for two years before earning his first head coaching job at UC-Santa Barbara in 1994. Following a three-year stint with the Gauchos, Lane returned to Los Angeles as an assistant with the Bruins. During his second tenure at UCLA, he earned the 1998 West Regional Assistant Coach of the Year award and helped produce three individual national champions on the uneven bars. In 2000, Lane garnered the NCAA's National Assistant Coach of the Year award, and two years later, moved east to become an assistant coach at Florida.
 
Four years with the Gators saw Lane lead Florida to four-consecutive NCAA appearances, and an abundance of All-Americans. Lane continued his coaching track as an associate head coach at Michigan State for five years, where he coached Rochelle Robinson to the Spartans' first-ever perfect 10 score on vault. During his most recent stretch, Lane served as associate head coach for eight years at national powerhouse UCLA, alongside legendary head coach Valorie Kondos Field.
 
"We are truly excited to have Randy join our Shark family," Martinov said. "We could not ask for an individual with a more proven record of success, both as a competitor and as a coach developing well-rounded student-athletes. I look forward to having Randy lead us into this new chapter of LIU athletics, and I am confident that he will quickly make LIU a well-known name on the national stage."
 
LIU announced the addition of women's gymnastics in March 2020 and will begin competition this winter as a member of the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL). The league consists of seven Division I universities in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, including George Washington University, LIU, North Carolina State University, Towson University, University of New Hampshire, University of North Carolina, and the University of Pittsburgh.
 
Potential student-athletes are encouraged to fill out this questionnaire for more information.