Auburn basketball coach Ed Bender resigned his position as the head of the Trojan girls program today, according to Auburn Athletic Director Bob Jones.

In an e-mail Jones credited Bender “for all the hard work he put into our program to help make us a playoff contender again.

“This will be a great loss for our girls and for our community,” he continued. “Ed has spent many years committed to Auburn High girls basketball and has made a positive experience for hundreds of girls.”

Bender took over as head of the girls program at Auburn after coming aboard as an assistant coach for Tony Higgins.

Bender’s tenure as head coach included a state appearance in 2007 and a district playoff appearance this year. The Trojans finished this season fourth in the South Puget Sound League North 4A with an 8-8 league record, 10-13 overall.

Bender will continue teaching social studies at Auburn High School.

According to Jones, the school is currently weighing it’s options in regards to a successor for Bender.