Larry Kehres has decided to step down as the University of Mount Union football coach but remain the director of athletics at his alma mater.

His son, Vince Kehres, has been named football coach effective immediately.

Larry Kehres is in his 39th year at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. He completed his 27th season as football coach in 2012 when Mount Union won its 11th NCAA Division III national championship.

"The best part of the job was developing relationships with players and continuing those relationships following their graduations," Kehres said in a news release. "Coaching the Purple Raiders has been a tremendous experience for my family. We have shared many great experiences with our players, fellow coaches, trainers and their families. We plan to continue to enjoy working with Mount Union coaches and athletes."

Kehres, 63, began working as an assistant football coach and professor in 1974 at Mount Union. He was Mount Union's first swimming coach, was named athletic director in 1985 then assumed head football coaching duties in 1986.

In 27 seasons, he compiled a coaching record of 332-24-3 (.924), which makes him one of the winningest coaches in the history of college football.

Kehres' teams won 23 Ohio Athletic Conference championships (1986, 1990, 1992-2012). The teams also posted 21 undefeated regular seasons (1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995-2004, 2006-2012) and won 11 NCAA Division III National championships (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012).

Kehres graduated from Southeast High School in 1967 and Mount Union in 1971. He also holds a master's degree from Bowling Green State University.

"Coach Kehres has been an incredible success, not only in winning football games and national championships at an unprecedented level, but also in positively shaping the lives of countless student athletes," Mount Union President Richard Giese said. "His impact on Mount Union has been dramatic, and the entire Raider family will clearly miss him on the sideline. Larry, his wife Linda, and the Kehres family are a special part of the fabric that makes Mount Union unique, and we are indeed grateful."

As director of athletics, Kehres has overseen the expansion of varsity sports to 23, increased the athletics staff and helped gain support for the $17 million expansion and renovation of the Timken Physical Education Building and Peterson Field House. Mount Union swept OAC men's and women's All-Sports Trophies this past season and is the highest ranked NCAA Division III institution in Ohio in the Learfield Directors Cup Standings recognizing excellence in college athletics.

Kehres and Linda have three children (Vince, Faith and Jan) and five grandchildren.

Vince Kehres, 37, has spent the past 13 years on the Mount Union football coaching staff and the past eight years as defensive coordinator. The Purple Raiders' defense in 2012 was No. 1 in NCAA Division III in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense.

Vince is a 1998 Mount Union graduate and Alliance native. He has been part of 10 of the Purple Raiders national championships as either a player (two) or a coach (eight).

"I have a passion for coaching and working with young men and I can think of no better place to do that than at Mount Union," Vince Kehres said. "I promise this program will continue to uphold the values and ideals that have made Mount Union what it is in the world of college football."

Vince has a master's degree from Ashland University. He and his wife, Lindsay, have two sons: Evan and Bo.

"Vince Kehres has been instrumental in many successes of the program; and we are proud and fortunate to have him take our program forward," Giese said. "He is well-prepared and ready for this opportunity."