Sports

Ohio's all-time winningest high school football coach is hanging up his whistle.

Ironton’s Bob Lutz announced his retirement on Monday after 42 years as a head coach, according to The Ironton Tribune.

Lutz told the Tribune, “It’s time. I’ll be 69 in May. It’s time for the younger guys to take over.”

He retired with a record of 381-91-5. Lutz began his head coaching career with a three year stint at Ironton St. Joseph, where he went 20-8-1. Lutz spent the last 39 years at Ironton–the Fighting Tigers were 361-83-4.

He became the all-time wins leader on Oct. 23, 2009, when Ironton beat Nelsonville-York 32-12 in front of the home crowd at "The Tank" Memorial Stadium, giving him victory 361. He passed Terry Malone, the former Hamilton Badin coach who retired in 2007.

Lutz's teams were playoff staples. According to the Tribune, his Fighting Tigers made the playoffs 28 times in his 39 years at Ironton and his playoff record was 43-26. Lutz won state championships in 1979 (Class AA) and 1989 (Division III). Six of his teams finished as state runners-up (1973, 1982, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1999) and 10 teams were state semifinalists.