JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Carson-Newman women's soccer coach Phil McNamara has resigned and accepted the position of head coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin, C-N Athletics Director David Barger announced Friday.

"We will be forever grateful to coach McNamara for his outstanding coaching tenure at Carson-Newman," Barger said.

McNamara spent eight seasons in Mossy Creek and guided the Lady Eagles to unprecedented heights. He led C-N to seven NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Final Four berths in 2004 and 2005. In 2009, McNamara and the Lady Eagles went 20-3-1, won both the SAC regular season and tournament titles, advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight and were ranked No. 5 in the final national poll.

In South Atlantic Conference play, McNamara's squads captured five regular season conference championships and four SAC Tournament titles. He was named SAC Coach of the Year four times. McNamara compiled an impressive 129-34-7 record during his tenure at C-N, including a 45-11-2 mark in the conference.

"His teams have been fun and entertaining to watch and have brought a sense of pride to our athletics department," Barger offered. "The bar has been set high. We will move forward with great confidence and anticipation as we go to the next chapter in our women's soccer program."

C-N will begin the search for a new head coach immediately. The position will be posted at www.ncaa.org under employment.