Yesterday on The Scoop, we posted news that East Stroudsburg (D-II - PA) head coach Denny Douds was stepping away after 45 years leading the program. Douds spent a total of 53 seasons as a part of the East Stroudsburg team.
How coach Douds, who had the most wins of any active NCAA coach, informed his team that he was retiring is what makes this story next-level interesting.
With time running out in a loss to Ohio Domincan (D-II) on Saturday, Douds nudged the official on his sideline and told him he was going to use his fourth timeout of the half, according to WNEP.
"I nudged the official in front of me and I said, 'Sir, we are going to call a fourth timeout. I know that is illegal, you're going to penalize it, but that's OK. I am retiring.' I called timeout with four seconds to go, blew the whistle, the kids came in and I told them this is what we are doing."
Here is video of that moment as it played out.
After talking with his team, you can see coach Douds make his way across to the other sideline, shake the hands of a few Ohio Dominican coaches, and walk off the field with his hat in his hand.
"I told my wife when I leave the stadium, I am going to tip my hat and say, 'I love ya.' I tipped my hat, walked to the car, and smiled all the way home," Douds shared with WNEP, adding that he didn't want his retirement to become a distraction.
Making matters even more interesting, Douds didn't wait until the season finale to do this, electing to step down during their last home game of the year. ESU has two road games remaining on their schedule - at Shippensburg and at Clarion.
Associate head coach Jimmy Terwillger is stepping in as the interim head coach for the final two games of the team's season.