Plant’s Boza retiring from coaching

Posted Jan 29, 2013 by Scott Purks

Updated Jan 29, 2013 at 07:37 PM

After 30 years as one of the area’s most successful coaches, Plant cross country coach Mike Boza has announced he is retiring.

“It was very, very tough decision, but with the increased demands of coaching and teaching it was time to step away,” said Boza, who led Jesuit, his alma mater, to four state cross country titles in 12 years. “The toughest part was to tell the boys.”

Boza, 52, took over Plant’s cross country program in 2007 and in the past two years led the Panthers to third and fifth-place finishes at the Class 4A state meet.

Boza still plans to teach psychology at Plant and on Tuesday he said he hopes to teach, “Until I’m 70.”

“I’ve run a lot of marathons and from that I’ve learned that pace is important,” Boza said. “If I want to continue teaching for a long time I know I have to pace myself, and I know right now I have to find a better pace.”

Boza said he would not totally rule out a return to coaching, which included 12 years as a football coach, but for now, “I’m definitely stepping aside.”