BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb women's basketball coach Alex Simmons resigned Thursday to accept the head coaching position at the University of Memphis.

A national search for the next Gardner-Webb head coach has begun.

Simmons recently completed her fifth season in charge of the Runnin' Bulldogs and posted a 90-59 record (.604) during her time in Boiling Springs.

"We want to congratulate Alex on her appointment as the head coach at Memphis and wish her well," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich. "The contributions over five seasons were impactful and positive on campus and in the community. Gardner-Webb women's basketball has a bright future and we are confident our next head coach will continue to raise this program to new heights."

Gardner-Webb advanced to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2011 this past season, setting new school and league marks for overall wins (29-5). Four student-athletes earned All-Big South Conference honors, including Big South Player of the Year Jhessyka Williams – who joined the 2,000-point club and set a new single-season mark for points scored.

The Runnin' Bulldogs completed the first 18-0 season in Big South Conference history and won 21 games in a row before falling at Utah in the NCAA first round.