Baseball coach resigns position

Despite more than 1,000 career victories and eight season of 40 wins or more, IU baseball coach Bob Morgan announced Sunday he was resigning as head coach.\nFor the past 22 seasons, Morgan guided the Hoosiers to nearly 800 wins, but IU has struggled lately with losing records in 2004 and a 26-30 mark this season. Morgan leaves IU with a career record of 1070-586-6.\nWith all the success he has had during his time while at IU, Morgan said he feels he has made a permanent mark on IU baseball.\n"I have enjoyed my 22 years at this institution and believe I have made a significant contribution," Morgan said in a statement. "I am indebted to my coaches, players and colleagues with whom I have had the benefit of working."\nEven with the lack of success the past few years, Morgan only had three losing seasons at IU. Overall, Morgan led the Hoosiers to 35 wins or more in 11 seasons, including a 57-win season in 1985. \nAdditionally, Morgan led the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten title since 1949 in 1996 when the team won the title by defeating Illinois 6-4. The win also guaranteed the Hoosiers an NCAA Tournament appearance, only the second in school history. While in the NCAA Tournament, IU picked up its first and only tournament win, defeating Delaware 10-8.\nThough there was some speculation that something could happen with Morgan, the team officially found out Saturday, said junior pitcher Josh Lewis.\n"We got an e-mail from him yesterday," Lewis said. "There was an idea that it might happen, but I didn't think it would. We did have a bad last couple of years."\nFor Athletics Director Rick Greenspan, this will be the third coach since his arrival in September that has either resigned or been fired. Former IU football coach Gerry DiNardo was fired in December after an 8-27 record in three seasons. Former women's basketball coach Kathi Bennett resigned after five seasons as coach. In her time at the helm the Hoosiers were 72-75, making one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002.\n"We appreciate Bob's dedication and commitment to the Indiana baseball program," Greenspan said in a statement. "Bob approached his job with great vigor and we thank him for his effort and wish Bob and his family the best in future endeavors."\nLewis, who still has one season left at IU, expects that when a new coach comes in an entirely new staff will be brought in.\nMuch like prior searches for new coaches, Greenspan plans to do so quickly, although he hasn't set a timetable, he said.\n"I will work diligently to try and make this transition as smooth as possible," Greenspan said. "We will immediately begin on a national search in order to find a coach with proven credentials in all facets of a successful program -- on the field, in recruiting, compliance and academics."\nAlthough Lewis is disappointed Morgan is no longer coach, he said he understands.\n"You never want to see the guy you've been with the whole time with go," Lewis said. "I wish he could have stayed for my last year. Sometimes when things aren't clicking, you've got to fix it."\nMorgan could not be reached for comment by press time.