TOWANDA, P.A. (WENY) - Towanda Head Football Coach, Craig Dawsey has had a lot of success at the helm of the program for over two decades. Now, Dawsey is retiring after a memorable career.

The announcement was made in a statement from Towanda Athletic Director, Paul Lantz.

"Football coach, Craig Dawsey is retiring from coaching after 23 years of coaching at Towanda. Craig took the helm in March of 1997 after the passing of Coach Jack Young.  Coach Dawsey embodies the tradition of Towanda Football. After taking over, he assembled a great staff and worked to restore the pride and tradition of the program. Over the years, he continued to build on that legacy. As a coach of any sport, you hope the sacrifices you make impact the lives of those you coach, teaching leadership, accountability, and responsibility among many other attributes. Coach Dawsey certainly made an impact and difference in the lives of the young men that passed through the program. Craig has also been a mentor to young coaches and others throughout his tenure. Coaching his coaches and instilling the same pride and dedication he has in the program along the way.  He can always be seen working or just watching most every sporting event at our school. His passion, pride, dedication, and service to the Towanda School District and Athletic Department is greatly appreciated. We wish him the best of luck in the next chapter of life's journey."

Dawsey, who coached the Black Knights for 23 years, tells WENY he is retiring from coaching and as a teacher at the school district.

Dawsey took over at the helm of the football program in 1997 where he recorded 149 wins which is the most in program history. Last season, he led the Black Knights to a 6-5 record where they qualified for the District IV Class AA playoffs before falling to Line Mountain in the quarterfinals.

Dawsey says family obligations were a big part in his decision as his daughter will be getting married and his son is being deployed to Iraq in the summertime. He added that he thinks Towanda football is in a great place and everything is set to go for the next coach.

On Friday, Dawsey took some time to reflect on his career at Towanda.

"I had the honor of working for a great school district," Dawsey said. "Obviously, this is my home school district I grew up here, so it's very special to me. Working for the administration, the previous Superintendents as well as the Superintendent now have just been so supportive of me and our football program and of course the entire administration from our Athletic Director, Principal, and Assistant Principal."

"The coaches that I got to coach with, the young men I got to interact with and be a part of their lives, I'll always remember that," he added.