It’s the end of an era for Colby College football as the dean of the New England Small College Athletic Conference head coaching fraternity has decided to put away his whistle and clipboard.

Tom Austin, who just completed his 18th season as the White Mules’ football coach, is retiring as coach, but will retain his position as Colby’s director of intramurals and will be reassigned within the athletic department.

“As you get on in years, you wonder when it’s a good time to step aside. I’ve had a thoroughly enjoyable experience,” said Austin. “It’s not like I’m retiring so much as I’m just stepping aside.”

Austin compiled a 67-76-1 record in his 18 seasons, winning 12 CBB (Colby-Bates-Bowdoin) titles along the way. His best season was in 2000, when the Mules went 7-1 and secured a share of the first-ever NESCAC football championship. The Mules have won three of the last four and 12 of the last 16 CBB titles.

The 63-year-old Austin said the drain of the job, in terms of time commitments, is the primary reason for retiring.

“There really isn’t a perfect time [to retire],” Austin said. “The job in some respects really consumed me in the last few years, and much of that is that recruiting has really changed to the point that it’s 12 months a year now.”

The native of Lima, Ohio, played quarterback in college and graduated from the University of Maine in 1963. He began his coaching career that same year as a graduate assistant at the University of Vermont and then moved on to become head coach at Lawrence High School in Fairfield (1965-66). After serving as an assistant coach at Ithaca College and Boston University, he settled in at Bridgton Academy, where he coached the school’s football team and went 60-34-4 in 14 seasons.

“I’ll miss the kids the most, working day to day with them and being in the huddles,” Austin said. “Practice is what I’ll miss most. Being a bit of an old-fashioned coach, I really enjoy teaching the fundamentals of the game. The satisfaction of watching it all come together and having those lessons get learned is a great thing as well.

“There’s nothing more exciting than working with a young person – working through them – and then seeing them come to understand everything and put it to work.”

Austin, defensive coordinator Tom Dexter and offensive coordinator Ed Mestieri have been together for the last 15 years. Offensive backfield coach Mark Godomsky has been with Austin the last 10 years. Austin said all would be solid candidates to succeed him.