SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Shippensburg University head wrestling coach Don Tabar has resigned from his position effective when his contract expires June 30. The Athletics Department is conducting a national search to find a successor.

“Don has been an outstanding coach and mentor to our wrestlers, as evidenced by the success our student athletes demonstrated during his tenure,” said Dr. Roger L. Serr, university vice president for student affairs. “We will miss him and wish him success.”

Tabar just completed his eighth season as head coach. He is one of the most successful coaches in program history, qualifying at least three wrestlers for the NCAA Division II National Championships in five of his eight seasons.

“I will always treasure my time at Shippensburg,” Tabar said. “The Shippensburg athletics community is a member of my family. It is a bittersweet decision, especially with the potential here for great things to continue with the program, but I'm really excited to spend quality time with my wife and daughter. My priorities are with my family. I don't want regret 20 years from now that I didn't take time out with my family.”

Twelve All-Americans, including 2005 national champion Corey Jacoby (197 pounds), have been recruited and mentored by Tabar over the last four years. During his tenure, Tabar had 16 All-Americans, 25 national qualifiers, seven region champions, a national champion and four national runners-up.

Tabar was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Coach of the Year following the 2005-06 season, a campaign in which the Red Raiders earned its best finish (third place) at an NCAA Championship in program history.

He was particularly proud of his group of wrestlers this season, a group that finished with a 7-9-1 record and featured red-shirt sophomore Chris Barrick, who won the regional championship and qualified for nationals.

"In all my years, I've always pushed for a team effort, and I can clearly say that this was the best team effort that I've ever coached," Tabar said. "This is the best team I've ever coached - they have the best chemistry, they are young and the attitude they brought was just incredible. It really is the greatest group of men I've ever coached and I can't begin to say how proud of them that I am."

Tabar graduated from Shippensburg University in 1998 with a bachelor of science degree in education and later obtained his masters degree in educational administration from Shippensburg in 2002.

Following graduation, Tabar taught in the Big Spring School District until January 2001 and then taught earth science and astronomy in the Greencastle-Antrim School District until June 2008. He is currently finishing his principal's certificate. Tabar has been involved in coaching since 1991.

“I am very thankful to Dr. James Pribula for hiring in my first year and also to Dr. Roberta Page,” Tabar said. “The entire athletics department, from athletic directors to equipment managers, is responsible for making the wrestling program as successful as it has been. Without the teamwork of the university and the resources we have for our program, I couldn't have accomplished what I have.”