Bob Timmons has retired as the softball coach at Coe College, the school announced Wednesday.

Diane Meyer, a long-time assistant coach with the Kohawks and a former player at Coe, will succeed Timmons as head coach.

Timmons retires as one of the most successful coaches in the history of NCAA Division III softball. With a career record of 927-366, he leaves with the second-most wins in NCAA Division III history and is one of just three coaches in the division with more than 900 career wins.

His 552 wins in 17 seasons at Coe are the most in school history.

“It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I felt it was the right time," said Timmons. "I look forward to spending a lot of time with my friends and family and doing a little bit more hunting, fishing, golfing and anything else that just sounds like fun."

Coe advanced to the NCAA Regional Championships in 11 of his 17 seasons, including trips to the NCAA Division III National Championship Series in 2006 and 2009.

The 2009 squad finished second in the country, the highest finish of any team in Coe College athletics history. A four-time Iowa Conference Coach of the Year, Timmons led the Kohawks to four Iowa Conference titles. During his tenure, Coe had nine Iowa Conference MVPs and nine NFCA All-Americans.

“We appreciate the 17 years that Coach Timmons invested into Coe College and the Kohawk softball program,” said Coe athletic director John Chandler. “Bob took the program to new heights, including two trips to the NCAA D-III Championship as part of the eight best teams in the nation.

"Thanks to Coach Timmons, the Kohawk softball program is respected across the country. As we move forward I am confident Coach Meyer will continue to build on the success we have enjoyed over the past 17 years.”

A 1985 Coe graduate, Meyer has spent the last 12 years as an assistant coach for the Kohawks. A four-time All-Midwest Conference selection, Meyer was a team captain her final two years as a Kohawk. She was inducted into the Coe Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.