Joe Gottfried, director of athletics at South Alabama since 1984, announced his retirement effective August 1. Gottfried, who coached basketball at Ashland and Southern Illinois before joining the South Alabama staff as assistant athletics director in 1981, has overseen a 16-sport program that is preparing to add football. The school also has built an arena for men’s and women’s basketball and extensively renovated its baseball stadium, among other facilities upgrades during his tenure.

Other transactions

Presidents – John R. Broderick selected at Old Dominion, where he has served in the post on an interim basis … Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite named at Centenary (New Jersey), where she was acting president … Rev. Robert Koopman selected at St. John’s (Minnesota). He previously was professor of music and fine arts division head for St. John’s and St. Benedict.

Coaches

Baseball – Steve Sosler named head coach at Mount Saint Mary (New York), where he has been assistant coach since2004.

Men’s basketball – Sean O’Connor appointed at Mercy after coaching at the high school level.

Men’s basketball assistant –George Jackson joined the staff at Cincinnati.

Football – Joe Rossi promoted to defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Maine, which also announced that running backs coach Kevin Cahill will add Rossi’s previous duties as special teams coordinator.

Lacrosse – Thomas Pearce selected as head men’s coach at Frostburg State after four seasons as assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Gettsyburg, which was runner-up this year in the Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship.

Soccer – Oliver Weiss resigned as head men’s coach at Virginia Tech.

Volleyball – Doug English named assistant women’s coach at George Washington. He previously was on the staff at Boise State.

Conference

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference extended Richard J. Ensor’s contract as commissioner into 2012 and also named Meghan Bertovich director of women’s basketball operations.