LINCOLN, Neb. -- Paul Sanderford resigned Thursday as women's basketball coach at Nebraska, citing poor health and a desire to help his family and the school.

Sanderford, 52, said he was advised by his doctors that he needed to have a change in lifestyle. He refused to comment on his ailment.

"My body is telling me enough is enough. And for once, I'm going to listen," he said.

Athletics director Bill Byrne said Sanderford's resignation was unexpected and not something he wanted. Sanderford said Byrne did not learn of his plans to leave until Wednesday afternoon.

Sanderford was 88-69 in five seasons at Nebraska. He came to Lincoln in 1997 after 15 seasons at Western Kentucky, where he took the Hilltoppers to the Final Four three times.

The departures of three of Sanderford's top recruits in the last two months and two straight losing seasons led to speculation about his future with the Cornhuskers. Sanderford would not say specifically why the players left, only that the three things were unrelated.

"Those individual situations and my situations are independent," he said. "I understand the timing of these things make people jump to conclusions," he said.

Jim Seward, who was hired as an assistant at Nebraska in April, was named interim head coach.

Sanderford was 88-69 in five seasons at Nebraska. He came to Lincoln in 1997 after 15 seasons at Western Kentucky, where he took the Hilltoppers to the Final Four three times.

Nebraska made it to the NCAA Tournament in Sanderford's first three seasons, but the Huskers went 12-18 and 14-16 the last two years.