SLIPPERY ROCK — Quite simply, Clyde Conti wanted to feel wanted.

"At any age, people need to be reassured that they are wanted," Conti said. "I'm just the type that I think if you're supportive of someone, you need to tell them that.

"When you start feeling that way, doubting things, it's time to go your own way."

So, Conti did. The football coach walked away from the SlipperyRock High locker room where he inspired his players, the practice field where he devised ways to perplex and bedevil his foes, and the sideline where he roamed for seven seasons.

His resignation came as a surprise to Slippery Rock athletic director Dan Szolek. The reasons why surprised him even more.

"After we received his resignation, he was asked by the administration if he was sure that was what he wanted to do," Szolek said. "He said he had been at it for a long time.

"We haven't had the opportunity to sit down and discuss it in detail. It sounds like that is something we should do."

Before coming to SlipperyRock, Conti spent 22 years as the head football coach atClarion-Limestone.

Conti, 57, has been coaching football for 36 years.

Conti said he handed in his resignation Nov. 25, three days after a 21-14 overtime loss to eventual state champion Wilmington in the District 10 Class AA title game.

The school board approved Conti's resignation at a meeting Monday night.

Conti said there were other reasons for his resignation, but declined to give specifics.

"I don't know if it is one thing that makes people do anything," Conti said. "If your wife uses sour milk in the macaroni and cheese, are you going to ask her for a divorce? I don't think so."

This divorce was amicable.

"I'm not bitter," he said. "There are no fingers pointing at anyone.

"I'm not sure how people feel," Conti added. "I thought some things needed to change. There were just some things I projected into the future that I wasn't comfortable with."

Conti was 45-33 in his seven seasons at SlipperyRock, leading the Rockets to two district titles and an appearance in the PIAA semifinals in 2003, when they lost to eventual state champion Aliquippa.

Conti, who has won 191 games as a high school football coach, is a member of the Pennsylvania Coaches, Alle-Kiski Valley and Armstrong County halls of fame.

"It's not easy. I love coaching football," Conti said. "But it's not like I've had my fill."

In fact, Conti has not closed the door on returning to the sideline next season at another school — or even at SlipperyRock.

"If I get a chance to coach in any capacity next season, I'll do it, even at our own school," Conti said. "There's no ego here.If I don't get an opportunity, I'm not going to be upset about that, either."

Szolek said the position has been posted internally and the search for Conti's replacement has begun.

Szolek was hired as athletic director in June. It didn't take long for Conti to make an impression on him.

"In terms of Xs and Os, he's fantastic, certainly the best I have seen in all my years in athletics," Szolek said.

While Conti didn't divulge the reasons why he is leaving, he did point out why he's not leaving.

Conti said his departure had nothing to do with the players or their parents.

"It has nothing to do with the kids," Conti said. "It has nothing to do with what we do or do not have coming back. I'm not cut that way."

Slippery Rock is coming off a 9-4 season and back-to-back playoff appearances for only the second time in the 40-plus years of football at the school.

Under Conti's inventive offense, senior Jono Powell emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the region and became the first quarterback to win the Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy.

"The kids we had accomplished a lot," Conti said.

But Conti's fondest memory of this season was what happened after perhaps his final game as Slippery Rock coach.

"The highlight of the season for me was our kids standing as a unit, watching the district trophy (get handed to Wilmington)," he said. "You play as hard as you can and applaud the team that beats you."

Conti will stay on as a civics teacher at the high school.

"I've always thought that was my No. 1 job," Conti said. "Coaching football is not my identity. Maybe at 27, I didn't know what was really important. At age 57, I know where I'm at. There are things very, very important to me more than taking the state champion to overtime."