Former Fresno State volleyball coach Ruben Nieves announced his resignation last week, formally ending three difficult seasons as head coach.

Nieves coached the volleyball team to a 5-26 record this season.

In his first year, Nieves guided the team to a 7-21 record and a 6-24 record in his second season.

Nieves said that Fresno State athletic director Thomas Boeh initiated the resignation talks.

“The athletic director wanted to make a change and he gave me the opportunity to resign,â€Â Nieves said. “He wasn’t satisfied with the competitiveness of the team, which I understood.â€Â

Coming to coach on the heels of Lindy Vivas, Nieves inherited a divided team.

Half of the team supported Vivas and was unhappy with her departure. The other half welcomed the change.

Two top returners transferred immediately after Vivas̢۪ contract was not renewed following the 2004 season, which hurt the program.

“There was a series of events that reflected negatively on the volleyball program and the athletics program at Fresno State,â€Â Nieves said.

Nieves was the sixth head coach of the program.

Nieves said he was treated appropriately while at Fresno State.

“I’d like to stress that I’ve never seen any athlete or coach that has been treated unfairly by any administration ever,â€Â Nieves said. “It’s hard to give a program unlimited resources and you’re not going to get everything you want.

“Fresno State athletics teams are lucky and their coaches fortunate with this administration.â€Â

For now, Nieves plans to stay around Fresno.

Nieves said that he moved to Fresno before he became the volleyball coach at Fresno State and that he moved because of very good reasons.

Nieves said those reasons are still in Fresno.

“The job search has started and I’m wide open,â€Â Nieves said.

Nieves said he has been contacted by an athletic director but declined to say from what school.

Talks are still preliminary, according to Nieves.

“I’ve been coaching in Fresno State for three years and I’ve been a coach for 20,â€Â Nieves said. “I’ve been an educator all my life and I’d like to stay in education.â€Â

Nieves has an all-time record of 197-163 in his years of coaching and one NCAA Championship.

That championship came in 1997 during his 11 seasons as the men̢۪s head coach at Stanford.

Response has been positive toward Nieves̢۪ resignation.

Nieves said he̢۪s fortunate to have good support from his colleagues and peers.

“I’ve made a lot of friends as a coach and they’re making sure I land on my feet,â€Â Nieves said.

Nieves said his volleyball players understand his decision.

“They know that coaches don’t stay forever at a Division I school,â€Â Nieves said.

Fresno State has already started searching for a new coach.

There are two local Nieves recruits at Buchanan High School.

“They’ll be curious to see who’s hired and then they’ll make their decision, [to come to Fresno State]â€Â Nieves said.