FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Longtime North Side Athletic Director Dale Doerffler said goodbye to the school he called his second home after 37 years. Retiring after serving as a teacher, football coach, and A.D Doerffler’s last day of work was on Thursday,

Doerffler, a Concordia alum, was first hired by North Side in 1979. He coached the football team from 1980-1996. In that time he coached players like the late Sim Nelson who went on to play at Michigan and sign with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. During Doerffler’s coaching tenure North Side won three sectional titles and one regional title.

He took over as the school’s athletic director in 1996. He was the A.D and coach for one year before stepping away from the gridiron.

Doerffler said he felt like it was time to retire. The school will be getting a new principal and changing it’s mascot from the Redskins to the Legends.

Doerffler does not have concrete plans for his retirement does plan on spending time with his wife, three daughters, three grandchildren, plus two more on the way. He was is looking forward to hanging out with his older brother, former Northrop coach Buzz Doerffler, his twin brother, Concordia A.D Dean Doerffler, and nephew, Northrop football coach Jason Doerffler.