MARQUETTE -- Courtesy:  NMU

NMU Women's Track Coach Tom Barnes has retired. The announcement came from Wildcats' Athletic Director Forrest Karr Thursday.

Barnes became the head coach of the track and field program in 2007 after serving as the assistant coach since 2003.

All nine of NMU's track and field NCAA All-Americans have been during Barnes' tenure. These include pole vaulter Jaime Roberts, jumper Bailey Franklin and sprinter Sherice Hewitt.

All current NMU track and field records and Northern's best results at conference meets and the NCAA Championships have been accomplished under Barnes' watch. The Wildcats were third at the indoor conference meet and fourth at the outdoor championships in 2012. This past year, Northern finished 14th at the NCAA indoor meet and 20th at the outdoor competition.

In a press release, Barnes says he wants to spend more time with his family, including his grandchildren.

Karr said that a national search will begin immediately to replace Barnes.