Gophers assistant coach Nate Pomeday is leaving to be the associate commissioner in charge of men's basketball for the American Athletic Conference, the conference announced Thursday.

Pomeday's role will be as the top administrator for the AAC's 11 men's basketball programs.

Minnesota coach Richard Pitino hired Pomeday on his staff in 2014 as the director of basketball. Pomeday was promoted to assistant after Dan McHale's departure following the 2014-15 season. McHale became the Eastern Kentucky head coach.

A former Northwestern guard and Wisconsin native, Pomeday worked at Oregon State for six seasons prior to coming to the Gophers.

Pitino, in his fourth season at Minnesota, will take his time to search for an assistant to join his orginial staff of Ben Johnson and Kimani Young.