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Concordia football coach Vance Winter announced that he will step down at the conclusion of the season.

Winter said he reached a turning point in his career and being a parent, and chose to spend more time with his family.

“We have worked so hard, all the staff, the players, the administration, to get this program up to standard where the next step will be very interesting,” said Winter, whose team is 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference this fall. “This has been such an awesome experience and it’s tough to leave, but it’s time to take a step back.”

Concordia promoted the native of Miller, South Dakota, from assistant coach after the Bulldogs went 1-9 in 2008. His eight seasons have seen Concordia finish 39-44 and consistently in the NAIA ratings the last few seasons.

Winter’s wife, Tanya, and children Jackson (9), Clara (7) and son Jesse (born last summer) will get a chance to see Vance more often.

“This is the time where hunting and fishing with the kids, getting outdoors and spending more time with my wife and family is just more important,” Winter said. “I put all I had into this job. We have such a great staff here. We’re on the phone recruiting all the time and with our team as much as is allowed.”