PORT HURON — One of the longest-tenured high school softball coaches in the area has called it a career.
Port Huron's Chris Kozlowski retired after 13 seasons last month. The Red Hawks went 151-142 under his watch, which included six winning seasons and a MAC Gold championship in 2013.
"I always loved being with the kids," said Kozlowski, who's also a teacher at school and will remain in that position. "It's always been fun. This last group of athletes that I had, I had eight of them for almost four years and it just seemed like that was the right time to step down. I went through with this last group and it just seemed right at that moment — to finish with those kids."
Added Kozlowski: "I felt honored to be around so many great student-athletes. I can't ever make it about me. It was my honor and my privilege to be with those kids."
Assistant coach Ryan Mullins will take over the program.
"With the experience I had this year working with the team, I really enjoyed that and saw a lot of positives," Mullins said. "So, I was very interested in the position. With my daughter, Bryn, playing on the team, it made a lot of sense to me and my family to stay involved with the program."
Kozlowski's tenure was highlighted by a five-year stretch from 2012 to 2016. During that run, Port Huron posted a 72-39 record and never had a losing season.
"There are just so many wonderful (memories)," Kozlowski said. "I can't quantify one. Beating (Port Huron) Northern for the first time in a long time, the girls were really excited about that. Winning a league title, which hadn't happened in years. I don't ever put anything on me, it's all the kids. For me, it's just to see them be successful.
"We won a district game, which hadn't happened in a long time either. So, when they got to have those things — just to see the smiles on their faces when they achieved something that they wanted to — that would be the highlight (of my career). Just seeing the kids be successful and excited about what they were doing."
Even when the Red Hawks struggled, the longtime coach challenged his team to look at the bigger picture.
"Sports are not easy, at all," Kozlowski said. "So, I really tried to encourage the girls to give 100% and support each other and just do the best you can. Winning is awesome, but develop what you take out of it and who you become through it.
"If you become better through doing this, and you can be a better leader and a better teacher for someone, then you've been successful. Because not everybody gets the opportunity to play sports at the next level. But you can be a leader, a teacher, a supporter — you can do something for somebody else, besides play sports."
It's an approach that Mullins wants to continue.
"I know there's a lot of — not just good softball players — but really quality individuals, good students and just good people (in this program)," Mullins said. "That's what I want to be a part of. I just want to focus on each individual, their positives and build from that."
After all the years within the program, Kozlowski's support of the Red Hawks will carry on still, even while not standing in the third base box.
"I'll miss (coaching)," Kozlowski said. "And I'll miss the kids. That's really my only regret. But I think, over the years, after doing it for so long, it's got a special place with me and I'll never forget. I'll always be thinking of (the kids) and supporting them any way I can."
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
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