FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Jeff Rekeweg was still having trouble with his voice but it wasn't because he'd been shouting instructions to is team at the NAIA National Championship. This time it was because he was telling his Cougars that he was leaving the University of Saint Francis to accept another head coaching position.

Rekeweg met with his team to inform the players that he had accepted an offer to become head coach at Northwood University, an NCAA Division II member, in Midland, Mich.

Most of the players, the majority of which will return to USF for the 2010-11 season, had heard reports and rumors or caught the buzz on the internet.

"I certainly didn't expect this," Rekeweg told his players, pausing to compose his thoughts. "Fellas, I've been here at (USF) for 14 years and I love it here. But you are here to get an education, to make a better life and raise a family, you're gonna have opportunities where you are some place you love where if you are doin' a good job, you have good people around you, you're goin' to have opportunities you can't afford to pass up for your family or your career.

"That's where we are. I'm sorry that do to technology that you guys didn't here it from us first," Rekeweg continued, his voice wavering. "We had an unbelievable year because of the support staff we have here and because of you guys. I can't thank you enough for what you guys have done for me and this program, this university."

Rekeweg led the Cougars to the school's first NAIA Division II National Basketball Championship in March, was named NAIA Coach of the Year, and to USF's second-best single season record at 27-9. He leaves with a 265-198 overall record, a .572 winning percentage.

"This is truly a bittersweet moment for us," said USF Director of Athletics Mark A. Pope. "I've known Jeff for many years as a strong family man, dedicated, innovative, hard-working and loyal to his team and his employer. However, in the many talks that I've had with Jeff, I've also known that he has a strong desire to take his coaching skills to the next level. Given our team's recent success, there will never be a better time for Jeff to realize his dreams of advancing his career.

"We will miss him a great deal, but we also understand that the best thing for Jeff, Rebecca and their family is to take this next step."

Rekeweg leaves USF with the most wins of the five men who have been head coach of the USF men's basketball program, which started play in the 1964-65 school year.

Assistant Coach Chad LaCross will serve as Interim Head Coach of the Men's Basketball Team.

NU is a member of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Rekeweg becomes the ninth head coach in the Northwood program's history, which dates back to the 1960-61 season. He takes over a team that hasn't had a winning season since 2003-04, replacing coach Bob Taylor.

Rekeweg is a 3-time MCC Coach-of-the-Year (1998-99, 1999-00, 2006-07). USF won its first-ever MCC championship (regular season) under Rekeweg's guidance in 1999-00. USF forged seven 20-win seasons under Rekeweg including a USF-record 31 wins in 1999-00 reaching the NAIA Championship Tournament for the first time and advancing to the quarterfinals. This season's 27-9 record is the second best in USF history. USF had 45 All-MCC selections during Rekeweg's tenure and 10 NAIA All-Americans.

"Whenever a coaching change presents itself to me, the single most important question to be asked is, ‘Is the program heading in the right direction?'" said Pope. "In this situation, there is no doubt: this program is definitely heading in the right direction - both on and off the court. Chad has been a vital part of USF Basketball for more than seven years, and I have complete faith in him to continue to lead our Men's Team into the future."