Lynchburg, VA -- (Sports Network) - Dale Layer returned to Liberty University on Wednesday, this time being named head coach of the Flames.

The 50-year-old Layer replaces Ritchie McKay, who left his position to become an assistant coach at the University of Virginia. Layer served an assistant under McKay at Liberty during the 2007-08 season.

"We are extremely fortunate to hire Dale Layer as our next head men's basketball coach here at Liberty," said athletics director Jeff Barber. "Through the search, I thought it was important to find a coach that could build on the success of the past two seasons, which Dale was a part of for the first year. Dale is someone who embraces the mission of Liberty University, and as a basketball coach, brings a great resume at the Division I and II levels."

This will be Layer's third head coaching stint and first since leaving Colorado State in 2007. He was the head coach at Queens University in Charlotte from 1988-96 and also led the Rams from 2000-07, compiling a career 270-193 record.