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"I was thinking about it in come springtime," he explained.

VanSumeren had been taking his oldest son Mason to USA for the last two years. "It was a great opportunity out there," he said.

Around May, VanSumeren and his wife of 19 years decided to move Mason back to Bay City.

Also, VanSumeren's younger son plays football, which was weighing on his mind. "I didn't get to watch any games on Tuesday. I was not going to miss my son play again," he said.

That was major factor in VanSumeren's decision to walk away from the game he loves. Between juggling three sports schedules for his sons and he and his wife not being able to attend games, something had to give.

"I have an unbelievable family," VanSumeren said.

Between work and coaching, the time VanSumeren could spend with his boys was very limited. "I would see my boys on Wednesday night and then I wouldn't see them again until Saturday morning."

He added, "Football is not just a three to four month commitment. It is 365 days a year just to keep up with everyone else is doing."

This past spring, VanSumeren realized that his time with his oldest some was limited. "I've got to get in as much as I can in five years as I can," VanSumeren said. "Time was going to fly by."

VanSumeren's wife Marcia will be participating in a marathon for Team in Training that benefits the Leukemia society. That event was something that he would have had to miss. "It's one more thing that added up to make it a little easier to step away."

It might be logical to think that bringing home a state title would be the highlight of a career, but that's not the case. It is spending time with and getting to know the young men that he has coached over the years.

"I feel very honored to be a part of these kids lives. It's not winning state titles," VanSumeren said.

He has been invited to weddings of former players. "They have become some very good friends," he explained.

They feel a bond that will carry through the rest of their lives. "Winning football games is great," VanSumeren said.

He has been a part of his players lives and is "now reaping the benefit" of that time. "Hopefully you make a difference in the kid's lives. They tell you stories and what you meant to them - that's what it's all about."

VanSumeren's approach to football is to base it on real life examples. "You've got to put everybody else first. You need to put yourself, your interests and personal goals on the back burner."

This approach has been successful based on the record that VanSumeren and his teams have achieved. In VanSumeren's eyes as well as his players, everyone is equal. No one is more important than anyone else. "It's like a big family," added VanSumeren.

VanSumeren talked about the community support he and his team has experienced. "It's been unbelievable. Our community takes an awful lot of pride in not only sports, but our children. It was an honor to be a part of that."

VanSumeren recalled a practice in 96 when back when he was quieter on the sidelines than he is now. He let his players know hat he wasn't happy about their performance - but he also let them know how he felt about them.

He shared some personal things about his dad who he lost a few years prior. He cried in front of his players and added, "I wasn't afraid to let my guard down anymore. My dad told me - treat them like they're your sons."

He let them know that. That's how it's been ever since. That was the turning point for VanSumeren.

For now, Coach V as he is affectionately known, plans to spend time with his family and help with his son's sporting events. He'll be getting the most out of the time he has left with his oldest son and enjoy watching his other sons become young men.