(PrepXtra.com): Coalfield High School football coach Gary Kreis has resigned after 21 years as head coach, an assistant coach confirmed Monday.

Kreis played collegiately at the University of Tennessee (1967-69) as a wide receiver. After eight years as an assistant at Coalfield, he took over as head coach in 1987 and guided the Yellow Jackets to the playoffs in 18 of 21 seasons.

Kreis was unable to be reached by phone for comment, but athletic director Shawn Basler said Kreis put his decision in writing around June 10. Basler said Kreis decided it was time to move on since his heart wasn't fully committed and that assistant coach and former Oneida coach Keith Henry has been approved as Kreis' successor.

Basler said Kreis will remain on faculty at Coalfield as a physical education teacher.

Kreis finished with a 165-79 record. The Yellow Jackets made the Class A state semifinals in 2004 and had two undefeated regular seasons (1990 and 2006) under Kreis' watch.

Coalfield's 5-6 season last fall was the first time since 2003 that it failed to win 10 or more games in a season. The Yellow Jackets did, however, rally from a 1-4 start to reach the playoffs.

Coalfield opens its season Aug. 22 with a home game against York Institute.

Story Courtesy: The News Sentinel