Waco — Matt Knoll has resigned as Baylor's men's tennis coach after 22 seasons in Waco.
According to a press release from Baylor's athletic department, Knoll arrived at Baylor in 1996 and has been the Bears' only coach since joining the Big 12.
"After 22 years leading the Baylor tennis program, I've decided to step down to pursue a new challenge," Knoll said in that same release. "Working with world-class student-athletes, coaches and administrators has been the joy of my life. Winning Baylor's first team national championship is something to treasure forever. I look forward to watching the tradition of excellence continue."
As mentioned, Knoll led the Bears to their first team national championship in 2004, when the men's tennis team swept UCLA 4-0 in the national title match. The Bears also won the 2005 National Team Indoor Championship and made four semifinal runs during the NCAA championships, including a runner-up finish in 2005.
Knoll finishes his Baylor career with a 510-150 record.
"Matt Knoll built the Baylor men's tennis program into a national power and led it to unprecedented success," Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades said. "He was integral in creating the world-class facilities we now have on campus with both the Hurd Tennis Center and the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center, and we are grateful for his service. We are committed to ensuring the Baylor men's tennis program continues to compete nationally at a championship level while upholding the standards of Preparing Champions for Life and the mission of Baylor University."
The Bears finished the 2017-18 season 21-10 with a 1-4 conference record, falling in the NCAA second round to Texas A&M.
The university said a national search for its next men's tennis coach will begin immediately.