Tim Moser, one of the most successful coaches in the history of UAA athletics, is leaving his job as the school's women's basketball coach, saying it's time for something new.
Moser molded the Seawolves into a national powerhouse in his six seasons in Anchorage. He finished the most recent season with a 30-5 record and was one victory shy of making a third NCAA Division II Final Four appearance.
"I loved my six years at UAA. It was the best time of my life," Moser said Wednesday after the school announced his resignation. "It's time for me to pursue other opportunities and challenges. It's just time for me to do that."
Moser offered no other explanation for his departure. He said he doesn't have another coaching job lined up "but there are a couple of things out there.
"I'm confident I'm gonna land on my feet," he said.
UAA athletic director Steve Cobb said he hopes to hire a new coach within two weeks. He said Moser's resignation came a couple of days ago and provided no further details.
"You know I can't talk about personnel matters," he said.
His no-comment came when asked if the reason was disciplinary. Asked if the departure was amicable, he replied, "We have had no words with each other."
A year ago, Moser was a finalist for the UAF men's basketball coaching job before he removed himself from consideration.
"I tell you, the university has done everything for me to make this job the best," Moser said. "I think both Dr. Cobb and the university have (made it) the best place to work.
"I loved it here."
Associate head coach Rebecca Alvidrez is still on the coaching staff, Cobb said Wednesday. Alvidrez joined the UAA staff when Moser did in 2006.
Moser has a 165-32 win-loss record at UAA. His .838 winning percentage is the highest among active Division II women's coaches and the seventh-best in all NCAA divisions.
A former player for the UAA men's basketball team, Moser guided the UAA women to three NCAA West Region championships and four Great Alaska Shootout championships. He took the Seawolves to the second round of the playoffs or beyond in all six of his seasons.
This season's team made it to the national quarterfinals and was ranked seventh in the season's final Division II poll, marking the 81st consecutive time the Seawolves appeared in the national rankings -- the longest streak in Division II.
Cobb said Moser is cooperating with the program's transition.
"We've got recruits out there, we've got returners, we've got schedules, and he's working very cooperatively to make it as smooth (a transition) as possible," Cobb said.
Cobb said the search for Moser's replacement has begun.
"It'll be the best available coach that wants to be a Seawolf," he said. "Thanks to the success of our program there's a lot of people that want to coach kids as talented and with as much character as ours. So we're not expecting difficulty in attracting a proven coach. We're not going to be giving any tryouts."
Reach Beth Bragg at bbragg@adn.com or 257-4335.
UAA women's basketball coaching records
Coach, Record, Winning percentage
Milo Griffin (2 seasons) 14-28 .333
Linda Bruns (11 seasons) 176-142 .553
Milt Raugust (4 seasons) 69-43 .616
Jerry McLaughlin (2-plus seasons) 27-36 .429*
Harry Larrabee (2-plus seasons) 35-36 .493*
Bradi Dunigan (4 years) 50-57 .467
Jodi Hensen (3 seasons) 35-46 .432
Tim Moser (6 seasons) 165-32 .838
*Larrabee replaced McLaughlin after nine games, when the team was 1-8
Winningest coaches in other UAA sports
Hockey: Brush Christiansen .553 (287-229-30, 17 seasons)
Men's basketball: Ron Abegglen .708 (109-45, 5 seasons)
Volleyball: Chris Green .649 (74-40, 5 seasons)
By BETH BRAGG
Anchorage Daily News