ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio — Knowing when to leave is never easy.

After 19 seasons of leading the Marauders, head football coach Mike Chancey turned in his resignation Monday.

“It was a tough decision,” Chancey said. “Because I love these kids, Meigs High School, and Meigs football.”

Chancey graduated from Meigs in 1986 after being named All-Ohio in football and basketball, and after serving two seasons as a graduate assistant at Ohio University Chancey took the head coaching job at Meigs in 1993.

In coach Chancey’s 19-year tenure at Meigs, the Marauders went 103-87. In 2008, Chancey led Meigs to its only state playoff appearance in school history, where they were a seven-seed and were defeated by New Lexington in the opening round.

Chancey is uncertain what the future holds at this time.

“I may coach again or I may not,” he said. “I don’t know at this point.”

Chancey does plan to continue his contributions to other areas of Meigs athletics including with the Track and Field team.

“I will continue to to love Meigs football and I will support these kids any way I can,” Chancey said. “This is not a decision I’ve came to easy, but I wanted to do it now rather than wait because now I’m giving the school district plenty of time to find a replacement.

“It’s tough to leave these kids that I so much about. The next coach and the kids, I wish them the best.”

Chancey noted that this decision will not keep him from being disinterested in something that has meant so much to him over the years.

“I may not be the head coach but I’ll always love Meigs High School and Meigs football,” said Chancey “I want to thank Meigs High School and especially thank all these kids who have played for me over these years.”

Coach Chancey would also like to thank the assistant coaches and his father for all the hard work and support they have given him over the years.

“It’s been a wonderful experience in my life and we will see what the next chapter brings for me,” Chancey said.