A few weeks after reports surfaced that Rayner Noble will not return as Houston's coach next year, the school made it official this afternoon, announcing Noble's resignation after 16 years at the helm.

“My 16 years as baseball head coach at the University of Houston have been a tremendous experience and blessing,” Noble said in a statement. “I wish the team and program many years of success in the future. I only hope my next 16 years of coaching are as good as the last 16 have been.”

Noble, who was the seventh coach in school history, leaves as the program’s winningest coach with a 551-420 career record at his alma mater. During his tenure, he led the Cougars to three super regional appearances, eight regionals and six Conference USA regular-season and tournament championships.

A national search for Noble's replacement will begin immediately, according to the school's release, but there are really two primary candidates for this job: Texas Christian assistant Todd Whitting and Rice assistant David Pierce—both of whom are former UH assistants. Both would be outstanding hires.