Bob Barnes has resigned as women's soccer coach at Ohio Wesleyan University, it was announced by Ohio Wesleyan athletics director Roger Ingles.  Barnes' resignation is effective immediately.

"Leaving Ohio Wesleyan is the toughest thing I've ever had to do," Barnes said.  "I appreciate my time at Ohio Wesleyan as a student-athlete and then as a coach for 19 seasons -- it has been an amazing journey.

"I'm grateful to (former athletics director) Jay (Martin) and Roger (Ingles), who gave me the opportunity to coach here for so long, and to not only the staff in the athletics department but housekeeping, buildings and grounds, admissions, and accounting -- it's the people who make OWU great.

"I think the current team, along with another recruiting class, will accomplish great things, and I look forward to watching their development into a conference contender."

"Bobby made outstanding contributions to Ohio Wesleyan as a student-athlete and a coach," Ingles said.  "He had great success at Ohio Wesleyan, and he was a well-respected and well-liked member of our department.  We're sorry to see him go, and we wish him the best as he looks to pursue other opportunities."

Barnes guided Ohio Wesleyan to NCAA Division III championships in 2001 and 2002, and his teams set an NCAA Division III record with a 60-game winning streak.  In Barnes' 19 seasons as Ohio Wesleyan's head coach, the Battling Bishops won 5 North Coast Athletic Conference championships, won the NCAC tournament 6 times, and made 8 NCAA Division III tournament apperances.  In addition to the 2001 and 2002 national championships, the Bishops advanced to the national quarterfinals in 2000 and to the third round in 2004.  Barnes compiled a record of 221-118-30 (.640) during his 19 seasons as head coach at Ohio Wesleyan.

Assistant coach Nicole Ross will serve as interim head coach while Ohio Wesleyan conducts a national search for a women's soccer coach, Ingles said.