Ames, Iowa ? Iowa State athletic director Bruce Van De Velde resigned Monday but said he would stay on until a successor was found, or until the end of the year.

Van De Velde, who has held the job since Nov. 15, 2000, said he felt he had accomplished all he could at Iowa State and the fact his contract was not renewed July 1 had no bearing on his decision. And he insisted he was not forced to resign.

“I just think this is a good time for me to do this,” he said.

Van De Velde gave his letter of resignation to ISU President Gregory Geoffroy on Monday morning and the two appeared together at a news conference a short time later. Geoffroy said he did not try to talk Van De Velde into staying.

Geoffroy said he would appoint a search committee within the next day or so and hire a consultant to help in the search.