Women's basketball coach Nell Fortner announced her resignation Tuesday.
Fortner has served as coach for the last eight seasons, including this season, since her arrival in 2004.
"I love Auburn and have absolutely loved my time here during the course of the last eight years," Fortner said. "I have dedicated the last 28 years to coaching basketball and feel it is time for me to pursue something different.
"This was not an easy decision, as I have contemplated this for several months, but I am looking forward to the change. I'm proud of where the Auburn program is and what we've accomplished."
Athletic Director Jay Jacobs spoke to the athletic department's understanding of Fortner's decision.
"We respect Nell's desire to pursue other opportunities and appreciate everything that she's done for Auburn," Jacobs said. "Nell has been a tremendous ambassador for Auburn athletics, the University and our community--always willing to be a team player. She achieved success on the court and developed her players athletically, academically and socially. I have the utmost respect for Nell and want to thank her for her contributions to the women's basketball program and the Auburn community during her eight years at Auburn."
Fortner assured the athletic department and her team she is confident in her decision.
"When you've coached for 28 years, it's not something that just happens to you overnight," she said. "It's an accumulation over time. I don't know if I could pinpoint a certain specific time. You just know when it's time."
Some time off is on the horizon for the seasoned coach, she said.
"I'm going to go to Florida and jump on my paddle board and swim around with the dolphins for a little bit, but there's a lot of life to be lived," Fortner said. "I'm young enough to go do something else and go enjoy some down time and see what else is out there.
I have a lot of interests in a lot of stuff. I have a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm for life, and I want to go live it a little bit, so that's what I'm going to do."
Junior point guard Najat Ouardad reflected her and her teammates' reactions when Fortner informed them of her decision.
"She said she felt like it was the right thing to do--best for her and best for us," Ouardad said. "She feels good about the decision, and we all respect that if it comes from her. We feel good about it now that she explained to us the situation."
Fortner's decision is as emotional one for junior forward Blanche Alverson.
Fortner brought Alverson to Auburn and the Andalusia, Ala., native will play her senior year without the coach who recruited her.
"We were a little shocked--personally I was," Alverson said. "I decided to come here because of coach Fortner. I loved Auburn, but the deciding factor was definitely coach Fortner.
It's going to be different heading into my senior year next year. It's hard to be upset when she's not upset, and she's leaving on good terms."
Alverson believes the team will finish the season well and trusts in the athletic department's decision on a new coach.
"I think it's going to fuel us," she said. "We want to put our best foot forward for her and show her that she means so much to us. Finishing out this conference strong is a way to show her that she has made an impact on our lives. I have so much respect for her. We trust Jay Jacobs and Meredith Jenkins have our best interests at heart."
Fortner said her resignation will not hinder her from finishing the season strong.
"I haven't lost my fire," Fortner said. "We've all dug our heels in this year and worked as hard as we can to get the most out of these players, and we'll continue to do that to the very end. I wouldn't say it motivates me anymore. I'm always motivated. We'll just continue doing what we're doing and help these kids win a ball game."
Jacobs will work with Senior Associate Athletics Director Meredith Jenkins in order to find a new coach.
"We're going to find the best coach for this women's basketball team," Jacobs said. "Someone that can continue to build on the social aspect, the spiritual aspect, the mental aspect and the athletic aspect that Nell has started here. We'll be efficient, and we'll be thorough, and we'll get it done as soon as we possibly can, but we're under no time constraints."
Through the 2011 season Fortner compiled a 132-89 record with the Tigers. Her teams have appeared twice in the NCAA Tournament, in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, and twice in the NIT Tournament, last year and in the 2006 season.
Prior to Auburn, Fortner was the head coach of the WNBA's Indiana Fever from 2001-03. Prior to the Fever, she was the head coach of the U.S. Women's National team that won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
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