Former Wayland High School varsity football coach Gerry Diorio has announced his retirement.

Diorio coached at Wayland in two stints, guiding the Wildcats to the post-season playoffs several times, and he owns the distinction of having the only Wayland O-K Gold Conference championship, in 2008. He also owns the distinction of being the last coach of a Wildcat playoff team, in 2013.

A product of the University of Michigan, he was a starting lineman for the Wolverines under coach Bo Schembechler.

Diorio also coached football at Benton Harbor, Byron Center and Battle Creek Lakeview. He helped guide all of them to the playoffs, most recently at Lakeview.

A Facebook post said Gerry and Kathy Hazlett Diorio will leave for Florida, but before then there will be “retirement get together”at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Monelli’s Sports Bar in Grandville.

COVER PHOTO: Gerry Diorio and his son, Anthony.