After a 21-year career as a head coach that culminated with a 2A-Division I state championship, Timpson head coach Kerry Therwanger announced to his team he was retiring on Monday.

Therwanger posted a 183-75 record in 21-seasons, spending 13 seasons leading Lovelady and the past eight years at Timpson. The last four seasons at Timpson, spear-headed by five-star QB Terry Bussey, Therwanger led the Bears to unprecedented success posting a 58-3 record with three semifinal appearances and a 49-7 win over Tolar this December to win the 2A-Division I state title. 

“My wife and I spoke before the season that this would be our last run, but I wanted to take my time after the state championship game and get through the holidays because you are always tired after the season," Therwanger said. "But then I spoke to my wife after Christmas and we both felt like it was the right time. My daughter is graduating with her masters in May and I’ve got a couple of grand-babies I want to spend time with."

Therwanger, who also led Lovelady to the state semifinals three times, said there wasn’t a better way to put a cap on his career.

“Going out with a state championship, it’s kind of a fairy tale ending," he said. "It’s all gonna go downhill from here, so everything lined up to where I could go out on top."

With Timpson’s recent success, it would not be a surprise for Timpson to stay internal with the hire and the cupboard for the Bears is hardly bare with the return of ATH JJ Garner and several other complimentary pieces from this year’s title team.

“Timpson embraced me and my family when we got here," Therwanger said. "They were fantastic and will always be special to me and my family."