GROVE CITY — Jeff Bell didn't want to be one of those coaches.

So, Bell did what he had done so many other times during his 17 years as the head football coach at Grove City High.

He made a tough decision.

This one was to be his last — to leave the program he had led to three District 10 titles and a PIAA championship game appearance in 2004.

“I don't want to be one of those guys who hangs on for too long,” said Bell, who offered his resignation to the Grove City school board last week. “I didn't get into it to set any records. I just wanted to build a program where we're successful week in and week out. I wanted to end it on my terms. The timing was right.”

Bell was 114-67 in his tenure with Grove City. He was the defensive coordinator for the Eagles under Clair Altemus before taking over the program when Altemus left for the Pine-Richland coaching job after the 1996 season.

In his first seven years, Bell and the Eagles struggled to a 29-39 record and only two playoff berths.

Grove City started the 2004 season 0-2 before rolling off 11 straight wins and losing to Lansdale Catholic 40-17 in the state championship game.

That was the turning point for Bell and the program. Grove City has posted an 85-28 record in the last 10 seasons, including back-to-back 10-0 regular seasons in 2010 and 2011.

“I can't complain about the career I've had,” Bell said. “We struggled early, but the last 10 years have been really good.”

Bell, 58, had been hampered by back problems recently.

He underwent surgery two years ago to repair several problems. While the surgery helped, standing on the sidelines during practice and games wore on him.

Also wearing on him was the demands that didn't involve the Xs and Os of the game.

“It isn't that I lost interest in football,” Bell said. “Sometimes you get bogged down in the extra stuff. It felt like I was doing less and less coaching and spending more time on other things.”

Now, Bell wants to spend time on other things, namely his family.

He has a seven-year-old grandson, Maddox, who is beginning to play sports. Bell had to miss several of his events last summer because of his football responsibilities.

His wife, Diane, often found on the sidelines during games snapping photographs, actually tried to talk Bell out of retiring.

“She said, 'Are you sure you want to do this?'” Bell said. “She's always been very supportive.”

Bell has a son Justin, 34, who was on his staff. His daughter Carley, 29, was a pitcher on the softball team during her high school years at Grove City.

Bell teaches at Grove City Middle School.

Grove City has had a very stable coaching staff under Bell for the last decade. Bell said he wouldn't be surprised if some of his assistant coaches apply for the vacancy.

“I think all of (the assistants) are planning to stay depending on who the coach is,” Bell said. “I hope whoever is the coach, they keep the staff. We've had a great staff.”

Bell said he has plenty of great memories from his coaching career, many coming during the state title run in 2004.

He's also had many standout players, but the ones he said he is perhaps the most proud of are the ones who didn't make an all-state team.

“The kids who came in and you thought, 'Wow, I don't know if this kid will ever play for us.' And then by their senior year, they are starting and playing well. Those are the kids I will always remember.”

After 17 seasons, 114 wins, three District 10 championships and one appearance in the PIAA championship game, Jeff Bell has retired as the Grove City High head football coach. Following is year-by-year record for the Eagles under Bell.Year W L2013 5 52012 9 22011 11 1*2010 11 1*2009 8 42008 8 32007 9 22006 7 42005 6 32004 11 3*$2003 4 52002 7 32001 1 82000 2 81999 3 61998 5 51997 7 4Total 114 67* D10 championships$ State runner-up