LAKE CHARLES, La. -- McNeese State's track and field head coach resigned Friday in the wake of an investigation into sports programs for possible rules violations, school officials said.

Steve Baker had been with the university since 1997, said Louis Bonnette, McNeese's sports information director.

An investigation by NCAA and the Southland Conference into McNeese's men's basketball and track and field programs was announced at the end of September.

A search committee will begin looking for Baker's successor immediately, Bonnette said.

The university is not commenting on the ongoing investigation.

McNeese's basketball program has been under NCAA penalties before, for violations that occurred in the early 1980s.