Less than one year removed from winning his first state championship, longtime Narraguagus High School of Harrington softball coach Elliot Noyes is retiring.

Noyes began his coaching career at the school in 1972 and left after coaching just one season. He returned in 1978 and has been there ever since.

Noyes’ teams won 278 games while losing 106. His coaching career culminated with his team reaching the Class C state championship game last spring after finishing Eastern Maine runners up eight times.

Narraguagus defeated St. Dominic of Auburn 6-0 in the state championship game.

“It’s been very gratifying over the years to watch athletes diligently strive to be successful on and off the field,” Noyes said in a statement.

Noyes was selected the Maine Sunday Telegram softball coach of the year for 2002. His teams were Downeast Athletic Conference champions nine times and from 1988-1990 the Knights won 30 consecutive regular season games.

His teams made 19 post-season appearances, winning 28 games and losing 19.

“It’s exciting to see young athletes experience the joy of a game-winning hit, a rally-stopping catch or scoring the winning run. These are memories that they will always remember and so will I,” Noyes’ statement read.