As water polo's second season at Monmouth College draws to a close, the man who guided the sport to varsity status will be moving on to a new endeavor.

      The college announced today that Josh Dunn will be departing his position as head men's and women's water polo coach to enter the private sector. Dunn was hired in 2013 to lead the team's transition from a club sport to varsity status for both men and women. In just two years, the program has netted more than 10 national, conference and tournament awards.

      "Josh has given the program a good foundation on which to build," said MC director of athletics Roger Haynes. "We're now into the search process. In the interim, (director of aquatics) Tom Burek will be filling those duties to keep the program moving forward."

      The addition of water polo as a varsity sport brought the number of varsity offerings at Monmouth to 22. Monmouth is one of very few schools in the Midwest to offer water polo, and even fewer which offer the sport for both men and women.

      "I feel very fortunate that Monmouth allowed me to be a part of this historical move," said Dunn, who graduated from Monmouth with a degree in kinesiology in 2013. "I'm grateful they placed so much faith in me and gave me the opportunity, but a new opportunity arose that I couldn't pass up."

      The women completed their season last weekend at the Division III Championships. Monmouth's men will begin their 2015 season this fall.