CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College head cross country and track and field coach Butch Ard has announced his resignation. Ard has been a part of the Mississippi College Athletics family for 18 years.

"It is time for me to step away from this program and Mississippi College," Ard said. "This is a family decision and it is time to take a step back, breathe and be a better son, a better father and a better husband. I am proud of this program and where it is at this time. Mississippi College and its people have always been family to us and we thank them for what they have done for us and it will greatly miss it."

"It is with a saddened heart that I have accepted the resignation of Butch Ard as our head cross country and track & field coach," said Mississippi College Director of Athletics Mike Jones. "We appreciate all he has done for this program and wish he and his family the very best."

Assistant cross country and track and field coach Matthew Reneker will serve in the interim and finish out 2019-20 academic year. The Mississippi College athletic department will begin a search for the next head coach following the 2020 season.