BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Billy Greene has announced his resignation from head wrestling coach duties at Campbell University after six seasons at his alma mater.

A 2000 Campbell graduate, Greene will seek other professional opportunities while remaining at CU as an adjunct professor in the mathematics department.

"It has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience serving my alma mater as head wrestling coach," said Greene. "I am so grateful to our athletics director Stan Williamson, who entrusted this responsibility to me over the past six seasons. Through the wins and the losses, Mr. Williamson always exemplified a steady commitment to the wrestling program's success. For that I am genuinely thankful. I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to President Jerry Wallace and the rest of the university administration for their solid support."

Under Greene's guidance, Campbell has earned National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team distinction in each of the last two years. In 2008, the Camels compiled the ninth-best team GPA among all Division I programs. CU posted the 23rd-highest team GPA in 2009.

In addition, the Campbell wrestling program's Academic Progress Rate (APR) improved nearly 100 points (from 882 to 975) over the past five years. The NWCA ranked Campbell's APR improvement as third-best in the country in the fall of 2008.

Greene coached a pair of athletes, who qualified for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, including 2010 NCAA East Region 197-pound champion Parker Burns. During his stay as assistant coach, Lantz Nixon qualified for the 2002 NCAA Championships.

The Camels were runner-up at the 2009 NCAA East Region duals meet.

"Finally, I want to offer a special acknowledgment to Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Dwaine Greene, Vice President for Business and Treasurer Mr. Jim Roberts, and Psychology Department Chairman Dr. Gary Taylor," said Coach Greene. "These three gentlemen have been steadfast and loyal supporters of the Campbell University wrestling program during my tenure, cheering the wrestlers on at nearly every home match, and on a number of occasions even at the away contests."

During Coach Greene's tenure, Campbell moved into the state-of-the-art John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center in the fall of 2008, leaving behind 55-year-old Carter Gym.

"I step away from the collegiate coaching ranks with good feelings and many wonderful memories," said Coach Greene. "What a thrill it has been to train and compete in the newly-constructed John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center! The new wrestling training facilities have created such a positive boost for the program. I am convinced Campbell wrestling's best years lay ahead. I look forward with anticipation to the honors and achievement subsequent wrestling squads will earn under the tutelage of the next head wrestling coach."

A native of Lewiston, Idaho, Greene arrived at Campbell in 1996. In his four-year career, Greene recorded 74 victories, 10th all-time in CU history. As a senior, he posted a 27-5 won-lost record and qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships in 2000 after winning the 157-pound division at the Colonial Athletic Association meet.

In addition to being named team MVP and Campbell's Outstanding Male Athlete for 1999-00, Greene was selected to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic second team. Greene and his teammates were also ranked sixth academically among Division I programs.

He earned a Presidential Academic Scholarship to Campbell and was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. A President's List student, Greene earned his B.S. in mathematics with a 3.85 grade-point average.

Following graduation, Greene joined former Olympian and wrestling hall of fame inductee Dave Auble's coaching staff. He assisted in all phases of the wrestling program, including match strategies, practices, recruiting, monitoring the team's academic progress, and assisting with the daily operations of the wrestling office.

"Billy Greene is an outstanding person and has contributed a great deal to Campbell University through his years as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach," said Director of Athletics Stan Williamson. "Billy will be missed, and we certainly wish him the very best."

Greene completed his Master's of Education degree in August of 2004. He and his wife, Liza, are expecting their first child in July.