— East Carolina University basketball coach Jeff Lebo resigned Wednesday.

Lebo and athletics director Jeff Compher announced the news during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Lebo said his decision came after a lot of "careful consideration" with his family.

"After 36 years of playing and coaching and the sacrifices we have made as a family, it was time for me to make a change and pivot to a new chapter in my life," Lebo said. "Sometimes, there comes a time where you want to focus a little more in areas that you might have fallen short in the last 36 years. We thought it would be in everyone's best interest for me to step down."

Compher said the news came as a surprise to him when Lebo came to his office Wednesday morning.

"I have nothing but respect and admiration for Coach Lebo and the way he has run the program here at ECU," Compher said.

Michael Perry will serve as the interim head coach in Lebo's absence.

Lebo, 51, went 116-122 in seven-plus years as ECU's head coach. The 2017-18 Pirates are 2-4 early in the season.

Lebo arrived in Greenville prior to the 2010-2011 season.

Lebo's best season at ECU came in 2012-13, when the Pirates went 23-12 and won the CollegeInsiders.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).