Iowa State baseball coach Bobby Randall is going home.

After 11 years at the helm of the Cyclone program, Randall resigned Friday to take over as the head coach at Kansas. The 45-year-old native of Norton, Kan., graduated from Gove Rural High School in Kansas in 1966 and played shortstop at Kansas State until 1969.

Randall compiled an overall record of 309-311 at ISU and a 107-155 Big Eight Conference mark since 1984. He also served as an assistant under former ISU coach Larry Corrigan for three years prior to 1984. Randall leaves a Cyclone program that has steadily improved under his guidance. Last year’s team finished third in the conference and made a run for the title at the Big Eight Tournament before falling to Oklahoma State in the finals.

Randall said he is excited about heading the Kansas team, but he feels good about the condition of the ISU baseball program he is leaving.

“It’s a good move at this time for my family. I am excited about going back to Kansas,” he said. “I’ll always want nothing but the best for the Cyclones. It’s been a great 14 years in Ames.”

Randall sought the Kansas job in August after Dave Bingham resigned as the Jayhawk head coach.

In his first 10 seasons as ISU’s head coach, Randall sent 20 players into the professional ranks. Four Cyclone players signed with pro teams after the 1994 baseball draft.

Gene Smith, ISU athletic director, said the university will immediately begin a national search and hopefully fill the position by December. Until then, assistant coach Lyle Smith, who has been on the ISU staff for the past 11 years, will take over as interim head coach.

“He [Randall] has built this program up with integrity, outstanding student-athletes and respectability,” Smith said. “With this strong foundation based on a squad of seasoned young veterans and Iowa State’s commitment to the program, we will be able to attract a high-caliber coach.”

That commitment to the program was in jeopardy last winter when baseball was one of five sports reportedly under consideration for elimination when ISU officials were looking for ways to cut costs. Randall helped lead a drive to keep those sports.

Smith said he is confident the operating budget of the program will allow the next head coach to be competitive in the Big 12 Conference, which starts play next season.