NW Missouri State coach announces retirement

Published Dec. 29, 2010 5:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

Mel Tjeerdsma, who won three NCAA Division II national championships at Northwest Missouri State, s retiring.

The 64-year-old Tjeerdsma announced Wednesday that he will retire after 17 years at the school., where he compiled a 183-32 record. Besides the three championships, his team played in four other championship games. He teams also won 12 MIAA championships.

He was a four-time national coach of the year and was a finalist for the award again this year. He was inducted into the NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame this month and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame last January.

His 32 playoff victories and 42 postseason games are Division II records.

The Bearcats currently have a 46-game winning streak in regular-season conference play.