Tom Mach decided it was time to step away from coaching the game of football after more than four decades.

Mach, head coach of Detroit Catholic Central High School (Novi, Mich.) announced on Thursday that he was stepping down after 41 years of leading the program.

 “I just felt like this was a time that I was ready to go,” Mach told hometownlife.com. “Your internal clock kind of tells you that you’re not doing as good a job as you used to and you don’t want to lower your output of work because you’ve been doing it a long time.”

To think: Mach’s career started on a long shot in 1976.

After playing football at Wayne State and serving in the U.S. Army, Mach took a job as a head track and field coach and assistant football coach. Then he heard that the job at Detroit Central Catholic opened up.

“I knew Catholic Central was at the top of the heap,” said Mach.

As a 26-year-old, Mach sat down to interview with administration and soon after, the prestigious school gave him a shot.

“I said ‘Yikes.’ I didn’t believe I had a chance to actually get the job,” Mach said.

As an unlikely hire at the time, Mach seemed to exceed any and all expectations.

During his tenure at Catholic Central, he enjoyed a record of 370-97, ranking him third in victories among coaches in the state. He also boasts 10 state championships, 20 regional titles, 12 district titles, 21 divisional titles and 17 Catholic League championships.

Mach is a member of both the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and the Detroit Catholic League Hall of Fame.

The victories, championships and accolades are not the only thing that Mach will leave behind as he retires. He will also depart with many players remembering his wise words.

 “The thing I’m going to remember most is his sayings. They’re really unique and anyone who played for coach Mach knows what I’m saying,” said Jack Morris, senior tight end.

Teammate Jackson Ross concurred.

“The stuff he says, I still think about today. You can apply that to any part of your life,” he said.

Even the most famous coach in The Wolverine State took to Twitter to acknowledge Mach's accomplishments and impact on the football community.

Mach has undoubtedly left a lasting legacy on the school he called home for so long. He was able to achieve a great record and positively motivate his players.

 

Tom Mach, Football Coach, congratulations on a job well done. Your 41 year coaching/teaching legacy is one that all football coaches aspire.

— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) February 10, 2017