Zanders resigns as men's basketball coach

INDIANOLA, Iowa – After leading the Simpson men's basketball team for the past five seasons, Charles Zanders has resigned as head coach, Director of Athletics Brian Niemuth announced Monday. Assistant coach Brandon Stromer will take over on an interim basis.

A national search for Zanders' replacement will begin immediately.

Zanders began his career at Simpson as an assistant coach under Bruce Wilson in 2009. He took over as head coach in 2010-11, going 41-88 during his tenure. He won 12 games in each of his first two seasons, taking Simpson to the Iowa Conference Tournament semifinals in 2011 and 2012.

"I appreciate Charles' service to the men's basketball program and to Simpson," Niemuth said. "He has been a proud advocate for the college from day one and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Simpson players earned five all-Iowa Conference accolades under Zanders and four more were honorable mention picks. Elijah Knox (2013) and Zack Barragan (2012) earned first team honors under Zanders.

Stromer has been a member of Simpson's staff for the past five seasons, serving as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator since 2010. Previously, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Drake University, most recently serving as director of operations under head coach Mark Phelps in 2009-10. As a graduate assistant in 2007-08, Stromer helped the Bulldogs to a Missouri Valley Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Simpson closed the 2014-15 campaign 6-19, going 1-13 in the Iowa Conference and missing the conference tournament for the second season in a row.