TOWSON, Md. - Towson University Director of Athletics Tim Leonard announced that Mike Gottlieb has concluded his coaching career at Towson baseball with the end of the season.  Gottlieb informed the team of the decision on Sunday.
 
Gottlieb, who just completed his 30^th season as head coach, compiled a 733-821-10 record in the Tigers dugout.  He led Towson to all three of the school's NCAA Division I Tournament appearances (1988, 1991, 2013).
 
"We would like to thank Mike for his dedication to Towson University and the baseball program for so many years," said Leonard.  "He did a tremendous job in preparing his players on the field, but more importantly, he helped prepare them to be successful in life after college. 
 
"After several discussions over the past couple years, we felt like now is the best time to look for new leadership.  We are committed to this program and want to bring in somebody that can build off the foundation that was set by Mike."
 
Gottlieb arrived at Towson in 1977 and spent two years as a first baseman.  After graduating in 1979, Gottlieb joined Coach Bill Hunter's staff as an assistant coach.  Gottlieb spent seven years as an assistant before taking over the program in 1988.
 
In his first season, Gottlieb led the Tigers to a 31-17-1, the East Coast Conference (ECC) championship and the program's first trip to the NCAA Regionals in the Division I era.  Towson was sent to Coral Gables, Florida where it won its first postseason game, defeating VCU 4-2.  For his efforts, Gottlieb was named the ECC Coach of the Year and NCAA Regional Coach of the Year.
 
Gottlieb led the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament in 1991 after sweeping through the ECC Tournament.  Towson went to Orono, Maine where the Tigers picked up another postseason victory, 5-0 over Princeton.
 
The Tigers returned to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the Gottlieb era in 2013.  Towson overcame adversity during the regular season before sweeping its way through the CAA Tournament.  The Tigers were the No. 3 seed in the Chapel Hill Regional where they opened the tournament with a victory over No. 23 Florida Atlantic.
 
The 2013 team led the country by turning 81 double plays. 
 
Gottlieb joined an elite club during the 2016 season when he recorded his 700^th victory in a 6-5 victory over Kennesaw State on March 26.
 
During his tenure as the Tigers head coach, Gottlieb has helped mentor 17 players who were selected in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.  Of the 17 players, Chris Nabholz and Casper Wells went on to play in the major leagues.
 
A national search for Gottlieb's replacement is underway.