Longtime Bainbridge High School football Head Coach Andy Grimm will not be returning to lead the Spartans next season, school officials announced Friday.

Grimm, an iconic figure in the school’s athletic department, had led the team for nearly 20 years.

“After careful consideration and program evaluation during the 2015 fall season, the administration at Bainbridge High School has made the decision to seek a new head football coach to lead the Spartan football program beginning with the 2016 off-season,” BHS Principal Duane Fish said in an email to school staff this week.

Grimm himself was informed of the decision last week, Fish added.

“Out of respect for his decades of dedication to the program, school and community, Coach Grimm was given time to inform his coaches, team and families prior to any public announcement by BHS,” Fish said. “A former graduate of Bainbridge High School, Coach Grimm is a caring, kind professional and highly thought of in our community.  Bainbridge High School and all those who have been influenced by his football leadership are truly grateful for the 17 seasons Coach Grimm led the Spartan program.”

Fish said that the process to secure a new head football coach would begin immediately.

“Once located and hired, the new head football coach will build his staff of assistants and lower level head coaches with the assistance of the athletic department,” he said, adding that all other current football coaches will have the opportunity to apply for positions under the new head football coach.