Marlene Stollings resigned from her position as the Gophers women’s basketball coach on Monday to take the same job at Texas Tech. Stollings’ exit comes weeks after she led Minnesota to its first NCAA tournament win since 2009.

The U women’s basketball team was notified of the departure Monday, and a team meeting was scheduled for Monday afternoon to discuss the vacancy with Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle and Julie Manning, the U’s executive associate AD/senior women’s advisor.

“I appreciate what Coach Stollings accomplished in her time with us,” Coyle said in a statement, “particularly this past season when her team provided some great memories for Gopher fans. We wish her the best in her new position.”

Coyle, who inherited Stollings when he was hired in May 2016, has quickly embarked on his second coaching search for winter sports programs. After men’s hockey coach Don Lucia stepped down in March, Coyle replaced him within a week with former St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko.

“We have already begun identifying candidates to be our next head coach,” Coyle continued in his statement. “Our program has a history of success, brand-new facilities that are among the best in the country, and a talented core returning. I’m excited to meet with candidates and share everything Gopher women’s basketball has to offer.”

Stollings, an Ohio native, replaces Candi Whitaker, who was fired by the Red Raiders on Jan. 1.

“I am very proud and honored to be named the head coach at Texas Tech and to be a part of the Big 12 Conference,” Stollings said in a Texas Tech-issued statement. “… Texas Tech has a storied tradition of success and I am eager to return this program to national prominence. We will play a fun, up-tempo style of basketball that student-athletes will enjoy and the fans will find exciting to watch. This is a thrilling day for me and my family, and I cannot wait to coach and recruit Fearless Champions.”

Later in a tweet, Stollings mentioned a few groups in Minnesota. “I want to thank the student athletes, the fans & the local media for an incredible 4 yrs at the University of Minnesota!”

Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt added in a statement: “We’re extremely excited to welcome Coach Stollings to the Texas Tech athletic family. As a head coach, she has experienced tremendous success and has a proven process to return our Lady Raider program back to great heights.”

Stollings had just finished her fourth season at Minnesota, where the Gophers advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second time in her tenure. Minnesota went 24-9 and beat Green Bay in the first round of the NCAA tournament, then lost to No. 2 seed Oregon in the second round on the Ducks’ home court. The Gophers lose senior Carlie Wagner, the third-leading scorer in school history, but welcome back Kenisha Bell, the all-Big Ten first team guard, and Destiny Pitts, the Big Ten freshman of the year, among many others.

After a stint at Virginia Commonwealth, Stollings joined the Gophers before the 2014-15 season and lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament that year. She leaves Minnesota with a 82-47 record, including 38-30 in the Big Ten.

Texas Tech finished 7-23 overall and 1-17 in the Big 12 in 2017-18. The Red Raiders haven’t had a winning season since 2012-13.