After 16 years on the job, Moniteau High School athletic director Jim Metz determined his plate was too full.

So the dean of Keystone-Shortway Athletic Conference athletic directors officially resigned that post at the Moniteau School District board meeting Monday night.

"I decided to do this about midway through basketball season," Metz said. "It just hit me. I wasn't anticipating it.

"I went home from that game and told my wife I didn't want to do this anymore."

Metz, who turned 50 last Friday, succeeded Ron Kerlin as Moniteau athletic director 16 years ago. During his tenure, the Warriors have added varsity baseball, varsity softball and junior high volleyball to its list of spring sports.

Metz has been the varsity cross country coach the past three years - the only varsity head coaching position he's held at Moniteau - and is assistant girls track coach. He will retain both of those positions.

"I had to free up some time," he said. "I want to spend the winter with my family."

Metz and his wife, Donna, have been married 27 years. They have three children: Cynthia, who is a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, Alison, a junior at Moniteau, and Jim Jr., a seventh grader.

"These are key years in their lives and I want to be there for them," Metz said.

"Besides, it's time for me to go," he added. "I haven't had the time available in my life to do this job as efficiently as I wanted to and that's bothered me."

Metz estimated the athletic director's position added another eight hours to his workday during the school year. He teaches five classes a day at the high school as well.

He said he would go to his office on Sundays "to get caught up on paperwork."

No replacement has been named, but Metz anticipates a thorough search will begin immediately.

"Nobody in the school has expressed an interest yet, but I don't think very many were aware the position was coming open," Metz said.

"Nobody could have been prepared for this because I wasn't prepared for it myself."