Spencer Allen announced Monday he will not return for another season as the head coach of Northwestern baseball. The news comes a day after the ‘Cats wrapped up the 2021 campaign, finishing 15-21 and 10th in the Big Ten. Allen recorded a 104-156 record in six years as the Wildcats’ skipper.

“Over the last six seasons, we have worked tirelessly to elevate Northwestern Baseball,” Allen said in a statement released on Twitter. “I am grateful to the coaches, staff and Wildcats fans, but especially the many, many student-athletes who have chosen to invest in our program.”

Allen cited family time as motivation for his resignation.

“The ability to be present with my family while focusing on a healthy lifestyle are the reasons I am making this difficult decision,” Allen said. “It is time now to give that focus and energy to my kids, wife, extended family and friends.”

Allen was named the program’s 26th head coach on June 14, 2015. In 2017, he guided Northwestern to its first Big Ten tournament appearance since 2010 and its first Big Ten tournament championship game since 1984. In his six years, he coached three Wildcats who now play professional baseball. In addition, six Wildcats received All-Big Ten honors, including Anthony Calarco and Shawn Goosenberg who were first-team selections in 2021.

Josh Reynolds, who served as associate head coach for the entirety of Allen’s tenure, was named interim head coach, according to Northwestern Athletics. Reynolds primarily managed Northwestern’s pitching and recruiting and previously served as an assistant coach at Kansas State from 2011-2015.

“We have built a foundation for success here in Evanston that I am thrilled to carry forward,” Reynolds said. “I’m grateful to Bob Gundlach and our department leadership for their faith in me to lead this team. So many people have invested so much in this program during my time here, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to maintain that momentum and build an exceptional experience for our student-athletes now and in the future.”