HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Marshall football coach Mark Snyder resigned Sunday, a day after the Thundering Herd lost 52-21 to UTEP to finish the regular season at 6-6.

Snyder, who went 21-37 in five seasons, said in a news release that he made the decision after meeting earlier in the day with athletic director Mike Hamrick.

Snyder, a 1988 Marshall graduate, said the two men agreed his resignation was in the best interests of the program.

“It has been an honor to be the coach here and I will always be appreciative of the opportunity my university gave me,” Snyder said in the statement. “I want to thank all of the fans for their support and all of my players and assistant coaches for their hard work and dedication. I wish the program nothing but the best.”

Marshall athletic spokesman Randy Burnside said assistant coach Rick Minter would serve as interim coach if Marshall plays in a bowl game and the other assistant coaches would be retained for a bowl.

Hamrick said a search for a permanent head coach will begin immediately.