Elkhart Memorial High School announced Wednesday that football coach Kevin Downey has resigned effective immediately after two seasons.

Downey cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the reason behind his decision. He has four young children with a fifth on the way.

“We appreciate the time and effort that Coach Downey has poured into our football program,” said Memorial athletic director  Frank Kurth in a release issued Wednesday.  “He has been an excellent role model for our athletes and coaching staff.  We have a very good foundation in place for Charger Football and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Downey was the highly-successful coach at South Bend St. Joseph’s prior to replacing long time area coach Phil Teegarden at EMHS. Downey was 53-29 from 2003-09 at St. Joe and guided the Indians to  a Class 3-A state runner-up finish in 2007.

Downey was 11-11 in his two seasons at Memorial.