NORMAL - Illinois State is in the market for a volleyball coach. Sharon Dingman resigned Friday after eight years as the Redbirds' coach to accept the head coaching position at Iowa. A national search to replace Dingman will begin immediately, said ISU athletic director Sheahon Zenger.

"Sharon has given Illinois State athletics and Redbird volleyball eight solid years," said Zenger. "She is a great team player and has been a great member of our department. I wish her nothing but the best of luck."

ISU posted a 157-98 record under Dingman. The Redbirds finished this past season with a 21-12 record and earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998 after finishing second in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

"I have loved my eight years as a Redbird," said Dingman. "It has provided me with some of the greatest times of my coaching career. I was fortunate to come into a successful program and leave it feeling very good about what we have accomplished, but most importantly, what is ahead for this team. The players are committed to excellence in all they do, they are competitive, and are all winners."

Dingman owns a 336-212 head-coaching record in a 17-year career that also includes stops at Auburn and Butler.

During her tenure at ISU, the Redbirds had 21 All-Missouri Valley Conference selections and 11 players were named to the league's scholar-athlete squad.

Dingman will have her work cut out for her in Iowa. Cindy Fredrick resigned in December after four years in which the Hawkeyes went 46-82 overall and 9-71 in the Big Ten Conference. Iowa went 9-22 overall and 1-19 in the Big Ten in 2007.

"Sharon is an experienced leader, both of her own team and within Division I college volleyball," said Iowa athletic director Gary Barta in announcing Dingman's hiring. "She shares our Iowa values, is a proven winner and is a great fit to help us rebuilding Iowa volleyball."

Dingman is returning to the Big Ten. She was a member of Big Ten championship volleyball teams at Purdue in 1979 and 1980 before transferring to Northern Michigan.

"I've always felt the Big Ten Conference is the premier volleyball conference in the country," said Dingman. "I started my collegiate playing career in black and gold in the Big Ten, and I hope to finish my coaching career in black and gold. It's always been my dream to coach in the Big Ten Conference."