Mike Shipley has resigned as the girls softball coach at Linn-Mar High School after one season to spend more time with his young family, he said Thursday evening.

The Lions compiled a 16-22 record this season. He informed the team Monday that he would not coach them again next year.

"I've been coaching at Linn-Mar for 15 years ... 25 different seasons in three sports," he said. "My son is almost 10 and my daughter is almost 8.

"Both are becoming very involved in their own activities, and I felt it was time to be a father and support them rather than miss their games and practices."

Shipley served as an assistant coach in the Linn-Mar baseball program before switching to softball this year.

"I enjoyed the transition from baseball to softball and boys to girls," he said. "My decision had nothing to do with these changes.  Simply a family decision.

"The season had its ups and downs," he said. "We lost one of our best players for the season to an injury early in the year, and dealt with other injuries that got us off to a slow start.

"After a 5-15 start, the girls began to play the way I felt they were capable," he said. "We finished going 11-7 and had won 6 of 7 going into the regional game. I was pleased with the progress from the beginning of the season to the end."

Shipley teaches in the Linn-Mar school system.