Coach Bill George announced yesterday's game would be his last as the head football coach at the Coast Guard Academy after 21 seasons. He  departs as the all-time Academy football leader in wins. With the exception of the other three military academy football programs, the Academy is unique as Coach George's legacy will be defined by so much more than wins.

In 21 years Coach George mentored over 600 Coast Guard officers who have commanded cutters, aircraft, led service members in Iraq, Afghanistan, chased pirates off Somalia, served presidents, served in senior cabinet positions, and have coached football at the FBS level.

When you read about multi-ton drug seizures in the Eastern Pacific Ocean or Caribbean Sea, likely one of Coach George's players was involved. In 2015, I joined Bill's staff as tight ends coach for three seasons. Oftentimes former players would visit the office, or their names would come up in conversations. I could see that nothing would make Bill happier than hearing of the great things that his players were doing, either in life or for the fleet.

Coach George's legacy will remain for well beyond the next 21 years. 

Dave Ratner

Coast Guard Academy Football '05

Seminole, Florida