Not in the 19-year history of Oakland women’s soccer have the Grizzlies had a coaching transition. This year will be their first.

Nick O’Shea resigned July 15 after 19 seasons in charge of the program. Former assistant coach, Dave Morgan will replace O’Shea as interim head coach after seven years as an assistant, according to a press release on the Oakland Athletics website.

O’Shea won seven Summit League regular-season titles and eight league tournaments, reaching seven NCAA tournaments. Last season, he won his first NCAA tournament game, a penalty-shootout win over No. 16 Ohio State in Columbus.

He finished 213-127-24 (.620).

“I want to thank Oakland University for the opportunity to coach and work with all the exceptional student-athletes, coaches and staff during my tenure,” O’Shea said in a press release. “I feel like I am leaving the program well positioned for continued success and appreciate the commitment of all the current and former student-athletes that have played for me over the years. I also want to thank all my assistant coaches for their dedication over the years. I am looking forward to new opportunities.”

O’Shea, no longer an employee of the university, was not available for comment.

“On behalf of the University, the Athletics staff and our student-athletes, I extend appreciation to Nick for his years of commitment to the Oakland women’s soccer program,” athletic director Tracy Huth said in a press release. “During Nick’s time as coach, women’s soccer achieved high levels of success that we believe will continue in the future. I wish Nick and his family success in all their future endeavors.”

Morgan reached four NCAA tournaments with the Grizzlies as an assistant. He will return leading scorer Kyla Kellermann (nine goals, four assists), an All-Region selection in 2012. 

Morgan did not return phone calls from the Oakland Post. The players, reporting for camp this week, were not available for comment.

Oakland will lose starting goalie Shannon Coley, who started 18 of 22 games last season (10-5-3). The only returning goalie who played last season is senior Payj O’Shea.

Morgan now begins Oakland’s transition into the Horizon League with the league opener at Green Bay Sept. 27. The season opener is Aug. 17 against Kent State.