Matt Wallis has resigned as head coach of The University of Texas at Tyler men's basketball team to pursue other coaching opportunities.

As the first head coach in the program's history, Wallis put together a four-year record of 36-63. In Wallis' second year, his most successful, Texas-Tyler finished in second place in the American Southwest Conference East Division with a record of 13-12 overall and 13-9 in conference play.

"Matt came to UT-Tyler five years ago to take on the monumental task of building a new NCAA men's basketball program from scratch," said Howard Patterson, assistant vice president for student affairs and athletics. "He did a solid job of getting the program started and gaining

respect for UT-Tyler in the American Southwest Conference.

"The University is grateful for the work Matt has done to bring the program to where it is today. We wish Matt nothing but the best in his career as a collegiate basketball coach. He will be successful."

During the past four years, UT-Tyler's teams have been unable to advance to the conference or NCAA tournaments due to the provisional membership status required of all new NCAA members.

"Starting the program at UT-Tyler and working with these student-athletes over the past four seasons has been a great honor," said Wallis. "I am going to pursue other coaching opportunities, but I will always remember my time at UT-Tyler with fondness and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with such great students and fellow staff members."

Wallis' resignation is effective immediately and a national search for a coach will begin Tuesday. The University plans to have the new coach in place by May 1.

Assistant coach Larry Jones will handle the day-to-day affairs of the team until the new coach is named. Wallis will assist with the transition to a new coach.