By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After 19 years patrolling the sidelines at Riverside, head football coach Mickey Roussel announced to his team on Monday that he would be stepping down from the position.

Tim Taffi, an assistant under Roussel for 12 years, will now succeed him as coach.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for awhile now,” said Roussel. “I’m going to really miss the kids, Friday nights and Saturday mornings with the team. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished. Its just time for me.”

Roussel, 51, graduated from the school in 1974 and has been with it ever since. In 1974, when he became president of the school’s Quarterback Club. He did that until 1979, when he became an assistant coach and held that position until 1988, when he was named Head Coach.

The Rebels have notched a record of 171-66 under Roussel and have appearances in three Class 2A state championship games in 1993, 1998 and 2000. Only once, in 1993, did a Roussel team ever not qualify for the playoffs.Riverside was eliminated on Friday night after losing to Spring Hill, 49-20, in the bi-district round of the state playoffs.

Roussel said that while he wishes he could continue to coach, the physical toll of the job has made the decision to step aside easier. In 1998, Roussel was diagnosed with leukemia. It is in remission.

“My mind says to continue to do it,” Roussel said. “My body says I can’t. It’s more of a physical issue than mental. It’s time to rest.”

He says that one regret he has is that his younger players came with the expectation that he would be there through their tenures.

“They always ask you for one more year, one more year, and you keep telling yourself to push through for one more,” said Roussel. “After awhile, you get ‘one-more-year’d’ to death.”

One plus, he says, is that he’ll be able spend more time with his daughter Kelsi, who is in eighth grade at the school and plays volleyball and softball.

Roussel will also continue in his position of coaching the softball team along with new coach Kristy Hebert. He also will continue as the school’s disciplinarian.

Taffi says that his new position is the realization of one of his main career goals. He also said that he aspires to continue the great success that Roussel has brought to the school.

“Mickey’s record speaks for itself,” said Taffi. “He’s been tremendous. I saw the impact that he had on many young men that have come through.”

“The most important thing for us is that we mold good, solid young men with character,” he continued. “Ones that make a positive impact on society.”

As for next football season, Roussel says he won’t be too far away.

“They’ll hear me,” said Roussel. “I tell them that I’ll still be a 15-yard penalty away.”