Another coaching legend retires: DeMatha's McGregor steps down after 29 years

By Stephen Spiewak Mar 28, 2011, 1:34pm

The 280-game winner is at least the sixth high-profile coach to step down in the off-season.

BIll McGregor, who has spent 39 years at DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), has resigned, according to a report in the Washington Post.

Bill McGregor leaves big shoes to fill.
Bill McGregor leaves big shoes to fill.
Photo by Richard Rector
McGregor spent the last 29 years as head coach, developing a football program that rivaled the success of the school's nationally-recognized basketball team. He compiled a career record of 280-39-3.

With McGregor at the helm, DeMatha won six straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conferences titles between 2003 to 2008, before losing in consecutive seasons to Good Counsel.

McGregor is the latest in a growing trend of coaching football legends who have stepped aside during the off-season.

* In February, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) head coach George Smith retired after 34 years as head coach of the Raiders. He compiled a 366-61 record and won six state titles.

* John Sprague from Riverview (Fla.) announced his retirement last week, finishing with a 230-98 career record.



* Don Hooks of West Orange-Stark (Orange, Texas) and Bob Shelton of Hays (Buda, Texas), two of Texas' winningest coaches, also stepped down this offseason. Combined, they notched a total of 582 victories.

* New Jersey's all-time winningest coach, Pope John XXIII's (Sparta, N.J.) Vic Paternostro, also stepped down after winning a whopping 373 games.

* Rod Wotton, whose career spanned five decades, retired as head coach of Aquinas (Dover, N.H.) in December after 342 victories and 21 various championships.


Image for MaxPreps Video.