Robert Morris University head men’s basketball coach Andrew Toole announced Wednesday that he has promoted Tim Lawrence, who served as the program’s director of basketball operations in 2013-14, to assistant coach. Lawrence replaces Michael Byrnes, who was named the head coach at Rhode Island College in June.

"We’re very excited to promote Tim to assistant coach," Toole said. "Tim had a terrific impact on our program in his previous role as director of basketball operations, and we believe he can have an even more positive impact with his additional responsibilities as assistant coach. His knowledge of the game and relationship with our players, plus his dedication to our program, made the decision to promote him an easy one."

Prior to joining the Colonials before last season, Lawrence spent two years as an assistant coach at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., from 2011 to 2013. During his stint at R-MC, Lawrence helped guide the Yellowjackets to on overall record of 42-17 (.712) as well as a pair of NCAA Division III Tournaments. In 2013, Randolph-Macon advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16.

Lawrence, a native of Verona, N.J., began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant with Virginia Commonwealth during the 2010-11 season. During his time at VCU, Lawrence worked directly with the coaching staff in all phases of the program, aiding in travel coordination and team activities. That season the Rams advanced to the 2011 NCAA Final Four.

Lawrence earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and economics from Randolph-Macon in 2010 and also earned a Master’s Degree in education with a focus in sports leadership from Virginia Commonwealth in 2011. During his time at R-MC, Lawrence was a four-year letterwinner for the Yellowjackets. He served as captain of the first Randolph-Macon squad to advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament Final Four in 2010 and overall was a member of three teams that eclipsed the 20-win plateau.

In addition to the promotion for Lawrence, Toole announced that David Richards returns to the RMU coaching staff in 2014-15 to serve as director of basketball operations. Richards spent four years with the Colonials from 2010 to 2013, serving two years as video coordinator (2009-11) and two years as director of basketball operations (2011-13).

During the 2013-14 campaign, Richards served as an assistant coach at West Virginia Wesleyan. The Tigers finished with an overall record of 20-12 (.625) last season, including a mark of 15-8 (.652) in the Mountain East Conference.

"We’re super excited to welcome David back to our program," Toole said. "It was bittersweet when he left, but with his return we’ve gotten a more accomplished member of our staff thanks to his year as an assistant coach at West Virginia Wesleyan. Thanks to the promotion of Tim and David returning as director of basketball operations, the transition will be seamless."

RELATED: Robert Morris Announces 2014-15 Schedule

In addition to the changes in his coaching staff, Toole announced that Robert Morris will host Mansfield in an exhibition game Tuesday, Nov. 4, in a 7:00 p.m. tip at the Charles L. Sewall Center. The Colonials open practice for the 2014-15 season Sunday, Oct. 5.

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