Though Coupeville High School football coach Tony Maggio resigned last week after three years directing the program, he won’t disappear from the Central Whidbey athletic scene.

“I want to go and enjoy the games,” Maggio said. “I love this community; whether it is volleyball, basketball —- whatever I can go to —- I will be there.

“I am proud to be a Wolf.”

Maggio recently took a position with the Sherwin Williams Paint Company, and that commitment makes it difficult to coach, he said.

“I am grateful Sherwin Williams allowed me to continue to coach this year and not leave in midseason,” he said.

Another factor in his decision to step down is his family.

“They have sacrificed a lot over the past 10 years of me coaching,” Maggio said. “It is time I gave back to April, Sawyer and Anthony.”

Under Maggio’s watch, the Wolves improved each season. Coupeville won two games in 2012, four last year and five this season.

Maggio said wins is one way to measure the growth of a program but added there is more to the equation.

“For me, I just wanted the kids to get better every year,” he said. “Also, I wanted us to get involved with the community.”

An example of the latter came this fall when his club helped the Clark family.

“Our kids have demonstrated compassion for others,” Maggio said. “After Sharon Clark’s husband passed, our team went to her home and did lawn work, odd jobs to get ready for Kevin’s memorial service.”

By helping others, Maggio said, “The kids learn respect, giving back to their community, love for each other and how to work hard to achieve goals.”

The highlights of his three years, he said, came both on and off the field.

“I think beating South Whidbey two out of three years was important for our program, and each year winning more games than the year before,” he said.

“My fondest memories are of the people I have met- and the love this community showed me and my family.”

Maggio likes where the program is heading: “(It) is in great shape; we do not need any rebuilding. We have great young athletes that are going to do great things. This team should be able to compete for a league championship next season.”

Maggio said his and the team’s  success wouldn’t have been achieved without the support of his family, including his mother, Glenna Parsons, and father, Chuck Maggio.

“I love them very much and I thank them for all they have done for me,” he said.

Will he return to the sidelines someday?

“Maybe. Never say never.”