Courtesy of Paul Gornowski, Holy Family SID

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - After nearly two decades as a member of the Holy Family University community, women's basketball head coach Mike McLaughlin has decided to leave and accept the same post at the University of Pennsylvania. His resignation was accepted by Holy Family University Director of Athletics Sandra Michael on Friday.

"This is certainly a bittersweet moment for Holy Family women's basketball, but I sincerely wish Mike the very best," said Michael. "He has worked hard to develop himself as a premier coach, and he has earned the opportunity that is before him. Mike has the ability and the desire to win and I'm sure that will continue to be his driving force for future success."

McLaughlin has been at the helm of the Tigers for the past 14 seasons. In that time, he compiled an impressive record of 407-61 and a winning percentage of .869, which is the highest percentage at any level of NCAA Basketball. McLaughlin led the Tigers to 25 or more wins in each of his seasons on the end of the bench, including six years of 30 or more wins. He was recognized as the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Coach of the Year 13 times.

Holy Family won six CACC titles (2000-‘02, '05,'07-'08) and four NAIA Conference crowns(Southeastern - 1996, Northeast - 1997 and 1998 and North - 2003) under his guidance. The Tigers reached the postseason 13 times in his 14 seasons. During the NAIA era, Holy Family made four trips to the national quarterfinals (1998, '01-'03). Since joining the NCAA in the 2003-'04 season, the Tigers qualified for the tournament in every season, advancing as far as the region final in 2008.

Last season, McLaughlin became the fastest coach in NCAA women's basketball history to reach 400 career wins. His 400th win came in his 459th contest on February 3, 2009 at the University of the Sciences, edging out Leon Barmore, former Louisiana Tech women's basketball head coach, by four games. The Tigers went 26-6 overall and won the CACC southern division for the second consecutive season. Holy Family qualified for the NCAA Tournament, reaching the second round of the regional tournament. The team led the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 48.5 points per game. It was the third time that the Tigers led the nation in that category.

Before becoming the program's third head coach in 1995, McLaughlin spent two years as an assistant coach for Holy Family.

McLaughlin began his collegiate basketball career as a player, participating in four seasons at Holy Family, including the program's first year, 1985-'86. He is fifth all-time in scoring with 1,710 points and third in assists with 755. McLaughlin is the best 3-pointer shooter to wear a Tiger uniform by connecting on 57.7 percent (161 of 279) of his attempts in his four seasons. He also holds the top-two 3-point shooting percentages for a season. In 1989, McLaughlin hit 59.3 percent of his shots and in 1988 he was a 58.5-percent shooter.

A search to replace McLaughlin will begin immediately.