After eight years at the helm, Joe D'Amore is stepping down as the head coach of the University of Windsor Lancers football team.
Under D'Amore's guidance, the Lancers appeared in four straight OUA playoffs between 2011 and 2014. D'Amore was named the Tuffy Knight Award winner as OUA Football Coach of the Year in 2011.
D'Amore spoke with AM800's Dominic Papa on The Local Line On Sports.
The Lancers finished the 2018 season at 1-7, but D'Amore says a rough couple seasons weren't a factor. Stepping down with a year left on his contract was a family decision.
"It's hard to be there for them and give everything I have that is needed for this program," he says. "Maybe over this last year, the conversation is how long do I want to do this for? Right now, it was the best time for us as Family."
Dragging the decision out into the New Year wouldn't be fair to the school, he added.
"It's a good time to get a new voice in here and some new energy and hopefully continue what we built on here over the last eight years," says D'Amore.
According to the Lancers' website, the university will begin a national search immediately for the team's next head coach.
"Whoever comes in to this position, I think there are a lot of great young coaches in university sports, if they get the right person in this position I told the kids, whoever it is, listen to them and buy into their vision," D'Amore says. "If they do that I believe success will come quickly."
D'Amore looks forward to spending more time with his two daughters, but will still linger around Alumni Field to keep in touch - the Windsor native also played five seasons for the Lancers from 1996 to 2000 serving as team captain for three seasons.