In a surprising development, Dr. Michael Murphy, president of Archbishop Spalding High School, announced the resignation of Mike Glick, the school's head basketball coach and assistant athletic director, in a press release earlier today. The news comes on the same day that the school's athletic director, Lee Dove, was quoted in the Baltimore Sun, confirming that the school had asked Glick to take a leave of absence to straighten out a "personal matter." The release sent out by the school, however, states that Glick is leaving Spalding to pursue coaching opportunities at the collegiate level. According to the release, Dr. Murphy thanked Glick for his service to the school and its athletic program and announced an immediate search for a new head coach. In a response to an inquiry following the release, Dove told MIAASports.com that Glick made the decision to step down today. "Coach Glick did have some personal issues he was dealing with. We asked him to take a step back and do that. He did," said Dove. "He came in today and resigned. He did meet with the kids and explained his decision." Reached at his home this evening, Glick expressed gratitude for his seven years at Spalding and said the decision was made so he could spend time with his father, who took seriously ill this week. "I loved my seven years at Spalding and I am grateful to the administation for the opportunity to work there," said Glick. "I had nothing but great experiences as a teacher and coach and I have no doubt the school will continue its winning tradition." Glick added that he does plan to coach again and said he will investigate opportunities on both the high school and college level, but said he had no specific timetable for his return. Speculation about Glick surfaced on Monday when he was absent from the MIAA A Conference championship game, which was played at Spalding's brand new athletic field house. The timing of the leave of absence seemed odd since the Cavaliers have yet to complete their season, but Glick explained that he could not devote the time necessary to adequately prepare the team and still spend time with his ailing father. The Cavaliers are scheduled to play Towson Catholic on Saturday afternoon at Loyola College in the first round of the 2006 Baltimore Catholic League Tournament and will now be led by assistant coach Ralph Burley. This was Glick's seventh season at Spalding and he led the Cavaliers to three A Conference titles (2003-2004, 2001-2002 and 1999-2000), after replacing current John Carroll head coach Tony Martin. The 1999-2000 team finished the year ranked 14th nationally by USA Today. During his tenure, Glick posted a record of 167-82 (.671) and produced numerous Division I stars, including Rudy Gay (Connecticut), Will Bowers (Maryland) and Derrick Snowden (Villanova). This season, the Cavaliers struggled to a 14-18 overall record and went just 5-11 in the A Conference, as they failed to make the league playoffs for the first time in Glick's tenure. Prior to moving to Spalding, Glick had a very successful run at St. Vincent Pallotti, as its head coach, going 120-59 in six years and producing several Division I players for the Panthers, as well. At that time, Pallotti competed in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and Glick led it to two WCAC titles and was the league's Coach of the Year in 1995.