A man who grew up with Winamac football has now left the program to retire from the sidelines.

Coach John Hendryx was a kid when Winamac began football with his father, Jack, as the head coach.  After three seasons back home, Hendryx, the 1980 Winamac grad, has announced his retirement.

Athletic Director Bryan Leverenz issued the following statement:

Winamac Athletics would like to thank Coach John Hendryx for this work with the Warrior Football Program.  Coach Hendryx posted a 15-4 record in three years, while also bringing a HNAC championship and sectional championship back to Winamac Community High School.

Coach Hendryx did a tremendous job not only on the field but also building relationships, being a mentor and a role model to mant student-athletes during his Hall of Fame Career.  Coach Hendryx was the ultimate professional and Winamac Athletics is thankful he was a part of our community and our school district.

In a written statement, Hendryx told GIANT fm Sports that he has four grandkids that are growing up and getting involved in things and it's just very difficult as a head football coach to see them as much he'd like.  Also, his son-in-law is the head coach at Carroll and his nephew is the head coach at Kokomo- so he'll still be involved with football somewhere, just won't have all the time and obligations of a head coach. 

Hendryx posted a 232-97 record in 30 years as a head coach.  It started with 14 seasons at Carroll (Flora) that included a 1A state title in 1995 and a runner-up in 1996.  Carroll was 13-1 each season.

From there, Hendryx spent eight years at Northwestern where he won a sectional title in his first season.  Then, it was years at Knox and another sectional in his final season there.

Hendryx has been selected to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Leverenz says the school would really like to get someone in place before summer starts.