Penn State is saying farewell to one of its most familiar football faces.

Caldwell worked with three different coaching staffs during his time at Penn State.

Brad "Spider" Caldwell, the team's longtime equipment manager, is retiring after 31 years with the program, the university announced Thursday.

Caldwell will accept a position as activities director at Fair Haven Union High School in Vermont, where he and his wife, Karen, have a summer home.

The coming season will be the Nittany Lions' first since 1982 without Caldwell on the sidelines.

"Words cannot begin to express the gratitude I have towards Penn State for all the opportunities it has given me through the years," said Caldwell in a statement. "The `Penn State Family,' from all the lettermen, coaching staffs, managers, countless alumni and fans, is what makes Penn State such a special place.

"I'd like to thank, first and foremost, Coach (Joe) Paterno, who became not only my coach, but a father and grandfather figure to me. He instilled in me the values and discipline that I carry with me today. Thank you, JoePa, for all the great memories. I'd like to also thank Coach (Bill) O'Brien, for letting me be part of two of the most special groups of players in Penn State history.

"Finally, I'd like to thank Coach (James) Franklin for giving me an opportunity to be part of his staff. The staff he has put together to lead Penn State to great things in the future made this a difficult decision," Caldwell added.

Caldwell started out with Penn State as a student manager in 1983. He received his degree in recreation and park management three years later, becoming an assistant equipment manager, and became head equipment manager in 2001. He had been one of the few remaining holdovers from the Paterno era.

"Spider has been an invaluable and tremendous resource for me and our staff," Franklin said in a statement. "He has been a vital part of the Penn State football family for more than 30 years and I wish we could have him working alongside us for another 30 years. Spider will always be part of our family and I want to thank him on behalf of all the players and coaches he has worked with and helped. We are discussing honoring him, and what he has meant to Penn State and the football program, in a special way. We wish Spider all the best and look forward to seeing him again on the Beaver Stadium sidelines."