Paul Wyczawski has announced his resignation as head baseball coach at UT Tyler to take a similar position with the University of Dubuque, the school announced Friday.

Wyczawski became head baseball coach at UT Tyler in the summer of 2010 and led the Patriots to a 66-20 mark during his two seasons at the helm. UT Tyler won American Southwest Conference East Division titles in 2011 and 2012, and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament in 2011.

“Making a job change is never an easy decision and this one was exceptionally difficult,” Wyczawski said. “UT Tyler is one of the top baseball jobs in the nation with excellent academics, administrative support, facilities and, most importantly, exceptional student-athletes who I will greatly miss.”

Wyczawski continued, “This decision is a purely personal one based on my desire to be closer to my family in Minnesota. My father, who just turned 84, along with my six brothers and sisters all live in Minnesota and I want to take the opportunity to be closer to them after coaching for 20 years in the south.”

UT Tyler officials said an immediate search for the next head coach will begin.

“Although we are very sad to see coach Wyczawski leave, we certainly understand his desire to be closer to home,” said Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for governmental relations and intercollegiate athletics. “Coach Wyczawski filled some major shoes replacing James Vilade, who started the UT Tyler baseball program, but during coach Wyczawski’s two years he successfully continued UT Tyler’s strong baseball tradition and has left the program in excellent shape for the next head coach to be successful on the national level.

“We all wish Paul well and thank him for a great two years leading UT Tyler’s baseball program. He was a great fit with the staff and will be missed.”

Since the program’s beginning in 2004, UT Tyler has quickly become one of the most successful NCAA Division III baseball programs in the country, amassing a record of 296-85 and winning numerous division and conference titles.

Dubuque, which is located in Dubuque, Iowa, is a member of the NCAA Division III Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Spartans were 18-22 during the 2012 season.