Kansas University is looking for a new marching band director.

Timothy Oliver, who has directed the band since 2000, told KU officials Wednesday he would resign after the spring semester. The resignation was made public Thursday.

Larry Mallett, chairman of the department of music and dance, said Oliver had not been asked to resign, although alumni and others had been critical of the marching bandâÂÂs small size during OliverâÂÂs tenure.

Oliver could not be reached for comment Thursday.

But a band member said Oliver announced his decision at a rehearsal Wednesday.

âÂÂThe only reason he gave was that now that he is a father that he feels he needs to provide more security than a nontenured track position will allow,â said Marie Clyatt, a Hutchinson junior.

Oliver made $45,777 a year at KU.

Clyatt said she thought most band members supported Oliver. She said recruiting had been a challenge because Robert Foster, the former marching band director, had been at KU for 30 years and became a band legend.

The KU marching band had about 150 members this year, down from 275 15 years ago. It was one of the smallest bands in the Big 12.

âÂÂI know (Oliver) has tried a lot to get the numbers up,â Clyatt said. âÂÂHe has gone to schools. HeâÂÂs done a lot of recruiting.âÂÂ

Mallett said KU would conduct a national search and hoped to have a new director hired this spring.

âÂÂTim has a lot to offer,â Mallett said. âÂÂHe was a great organizer. He was a wonderful advocate for the Marching Jayhawks, the School of Fine Arts and KU.âÂÂ

As director of athletic bands and assistant director of bands, Oliver also was in charge of basketball and volleyball bands and conducted the university band during the spring semester.

He also taught graduate courses in secondary instrumental techniques and directed the Marching Band Camp at the KU Midwestern Music Camp.

A Missouri native, Oliver came to KU after finishing his doctoral work at Florida State University.