Citing cuts to an already strained budget, Melvin Williams has resigned as women’s basketball coach at Tennessee Temple University.

“We had some more cuts this spring, and it really hurts recruiting,” Williams said. “I appreciate the opportunity Tennessee Temple gave me. The money situation has just become too hard to deal with.”

Williams was 169-68 in five years at Chattanooga State, counting three seasons coaching both the men’s and the women’s teams, before leaving to be an NCAA Division I assistant women’s coach at Tennessee State. The former Howard track standout returned to his hometown in 2007 and was 18-12 and 18-10 in two seasons at Temple.

“I want to stay involved in college coaching, and I’m looking for opportunities,” Willliams said. “I’m also thinking about doing about doing some personal training during the summer.”

Athletic director John Secord said the position would be posted right away on the NAIA Web site as well as the school’s site.

“We’ll probably have a quick deadline so we can fill the job as soon as possible,” said Secord, who thinks he’s close to filling Temple’s vacant soccer coaching vacancy.

“We appreciate the time Melvin spent here and him moving the program forward,” Secord said. “Everything he’s done has been professional, and we wish him the best.”