NEW BETHLEHEM -- Mike Brown has coached just about everything at Redbank Valley.
Brown, who has coached football, track, basketball and most recently the Bulldogs' baseball team, has decided it was time to call it quits after 30 years coaching.
"I enjoyed every minute of it," Brown said. "I just felt I was done. I have always been a hands on guy and then I couldn't throw BP like I used to. I'll miss it. It is one game you can be 10-years-old every spring. I enjoyed every minute of it."
While coaching baseball, Brown compiled a record of 104-45 in eight seasons and 87-28 in the KSAC. Under his tenure, the Bulldogs were league champs on three occasions and runner-up twice.
Brown cites his family for the step down.
"I want to spend a little time with my family," Brown said. "That is something I didn't get to do when I was younger."
After a tough loss to Clarion-Limestone in the 2004 district finals, Brown contemplated calling it quits but returned for one more season.
After this season, Brown told his team of his decision to officially give up his position as coach and some even asked him to stay. But to no avail.
And that kind of compassion was felt thoughtout his coaching career.
"Definitely a players coach," Ron Geist, a 2003 graduate of Redbank Valley and former Bulldog player, said. "They are definitely going to miss him."
"He was a great man," Dustin Shaffer, a 2001 graduate, said. "You can't say anything bad about coach Brown. I think he is going to miss it. He had a great career."
Brown, who no longer teaches but will remain as Redbank Valley's athletic director, has compiled around 550 wins in his 30 years of coaching.
"Our success has been true to the kids," he said.
Brown's last two playoff games as a coach weren't pretty ones but he said he will take nothing but fond memories with him.
"There are so many positive memories," Brown said. "I've been blessed. There are a lot of good memories. I don't know if I have any bad memories."
In Brown's final game, Redbank Valley lost to Montieau in the District 9 playoffs on May 30, 8-1.
