End of an era

As the 2004 prep football season winds down, so is the career of Randy Magner.

The longtime coach of the Colony Knights has decided to retire and step away from football. Though he has taken a step back from the Knight football program before, according to Magner and those around him, this time it's official.

"People around here are realizing he's leaving," Colony High School activities director and assistant football coach Mike Boyd said. "He's gone for good."

There can understandably be some disbelief about the thought of Colony football without Magner. He has stepped away from his head coaching duties twice before, but never really left. Unlike a prize fighter who comes out of multiple retirements for the paycheck, Magner comes back because of the love of the game -- and the convincing arguments of his peers.

"I've talked him back every time he's tried to get out," Boyd said.

After Boyd and CHS regroups following the season and officially opens the position, the school will look to fill a void left by not only a head coach, but a mentor to young athletes and contributor of countless hours to the program.

"Nobody has a clue how much time he puts in," Boyd said. "Just game preparation, not counting practice, at least 20 hours per week."

While Magner is certain these are his last days roaming the Colony sideline, he is not sure what lies ahead.

"The scary thing is I'm not sure," said Magner, who will also retire from his teaching position at CHS at the end of the school year. "I have to do something."

Magner has been teaching since 1977 and coaching in the Palmer area since 1985. He taught in Oregon and Skagway early in his teaching career and after earning his Master's degree, Magner landed a position at Pioneer Peak Elementary in 1985 and started a six-year stint on the Palmer High School football coaching staff. When Colony High School opened its doors in 1991, Magner made the move to the new school because it was closer to his home and he knew his younger kids would attend CHS. With the move, Magner earned the job as the first head coach in the history of the Colony football program.

In nine seasons as the head coach, Magner has compiled a 50-28 record and led the Knights to seven playoff berths. In 2000 Magner led Colony to its first playoff win and a spot in the 4A state title game.

That season Magner earned both state and conference coach of the year honors.

Last week, Magner earned conference coach of the year honors once

again.

With the excitement of a state semifinal berth, preparing for Colony's next opponent and watching his youngest son, Rhett, participate in the final days of his own Colony career, Magner said it is hard to just sit back and enjoy his final days with the team.

"I want to savor every minute, the emotions, the competition," Magner said.