PEMBROKE – Athletics department officials announced Friday that Phil Hindson has resigned his position as men's soccer head coach to accept a similar position at Winthrop, an NCAA Division I program.

Assistant athletics director for athletic performance Joey Hannant will serve the Braves as interim coach, while 2015 co-captain Josh Phelps will serve the team in an advisory role as a student assistant coach.

"I would like to thank all my current and former assistants for their hard work and dedication over the past six years," Hindson said. "I've really enjoyed my time at UNCP and I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish during this run. My gratitude goes out to both Dick Christy and Dan Kenney for their support and friendship.  I wish the program, athletics department and University nothing but the best in the future."

Hindson led the Braves to 47 wins in six seasons as the skipper of the Braves, including a 5-8-2 mark last season. UNCP rattled off an 11-5-2 clip in Hindson's second year at the helm in 2011, and then tallied a 12-5-2 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2012. The program has boasted 12 all-Peach Belt Conference and a pair of all-region selections over the last six years, including Sam Miles who also picked up a pair of Capital One Academic All-America nods, the 2015 PBC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor and an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

His 2012 and 2013 clubs were both also ranked in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top 25.

"Phil Hindson has been a tremendous asset to UNCP and his hard work has positioned our players and our program for a bright future," said athletics director Dick Christy. "I'm grateful for his leadership and friendship and we wish Phil and Liz the best in this next endeavor."

A national search will begin immediately in an effort to identify the eighth men's soccer head coach in the 51-year history of the program. The Braves open up the spring portion of their 2015-16 schedule on March 19 at Catawba.