CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — It's the end of an era in Cedar Falls: University of Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley plans to retire at the end of the season.
Farley is the winningest football coach in UNI and Missouri Valley Football Conference history, with a total of 182 wins under his belt.
"For me, UNI Football has always been about setting a standard that goes beyond the game," Farley said in a press release. "It has been about a legacy of resilience, pride, hard work and excellence. Watching our players grow into leaders and champions on and off the field and carry that standard with them beyond the football field has been the greatest reward of my career."
A Waukon, Iowa native, Farley played for the Panthers before beginning his coaching career at UNI as a graduate assistant in 1987. Farley also coached at the University of Kansas before returning to Cedar Falls as head coach in 2001.
"Mark Farley's tremendous legacy at UNI has been built on hard work and tenacity, characteristics that define him and his teams," UNI President Mark Nook said in a press release. "When we first met, he told me how much the opportunities that he was given as a student, athlete and coach meant to him. He has worked throughout his career to enhance the reputation of UNI and Panther Athletics through his work and his players."
Farley's legacy at UNI includes seven MVFC Championships, 17 FCS Playoff wins and an appearance in the 2005 FCS National Championship Game.
In addition, Farley sent 41 players to the NFL and had 10 Academic All-America honorees during his tenure.
"Panthers everywhere recognize the positive impact Coach Farley has had on UNI Football," said UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin in a press release. "Coach Farley's legacy is truly reflected in the achievements of the many young men he and his staffs have coached over the years."
The university will now conduct a national search to fill Farley's position. Farley's final game as head coach will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 in the UNI-Dome.
Some notable UNI football alum under Farley include David Johnson, Spencer Brown and Trevor Penning.