McMurry University Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson has announced that head women's soccer coach Alan Riches has stepped down from his position, citing the desire to spend more time with his family. Riches recently completed his fifth year at the helm of the War Hawks, the longest tenure of any coach in program history.
 
Riches' resignation will be effective January 30.
 
"I thank Alan for his service to McMurry and his work in building our women's soccer program," Ferguson said.  "I think any of us who work in athletics can appreciate where Alan is coming from and understand his decision. I know I speak on behalf of our entire staff in wishing him all the best in the future."
 
In 2009, the season prior to Riches' taking over the reins, McMurry's team had a 0-14-1 record. By 2014, the War Hawks' program had turned it around to a 7-5-1 overall mark to finish above .500 for the first time in program history. In 2013, McM scored a pair of signature wins by knocking off Heartland Conference power St. Mary's University in overtime on the road, as well as its first win over an NCAA Division I foe (2-1 over Alcorn State, also on the road) to finish the campaign 8-8-1.
 
"I took over a winless program back in 2010," Riches explained.  "It took a tremendous amount of sacrifice – by both myself and my family – to spend the hours necessary for recruiting and building the program to get it to where it is today: a program with a winning record. While I am proud of what we accomplished, since that process started my wife and I had our second child and I'm at the point in my life where I don't want to be away as much and miss that 'family time' anymore. I can never get that back.
 
"I love McMurry and the women's soccer program. A big part of my heart and soul are in it. That's what makes this decision so difficult. But I've learned in life that sometimes the best decisions are the ones which are the most difficult to make. I expect 100-percent effort from the young ladies in our program and, in turn, they deserve the same from their coach.
 
"I am a War Hawk at heart and plan to continue to support McMurry Athletics in any way I can. I believe Dr. Harper and Sam Ferguson are doing great things for the athletics program and have really turned things in the right direction. They certainly have my support!"
 
Ferguson said the search for a women's soccer coach would begin immediately.