ELLENSBURG, Wash. –  Longtime Central Washington University Assistant Head Football Coach John Picha announced on Monday that he is retiring this offseason after spending the past 36 seasons as a part of the CWU Football coaching staff.
 
"I would like to thank the community of Central Washington University," Picha said. "In the past 35 plus years since I have been here, CWU has grown by leaps and bounds, becoming one of the elite universities in the west. I'm proud of the people I've been lucky to have met and coached here at CWU, many of whom have become lifelong friends of mine. I will always cherish the friendships and memories cultivated during my time as a Wildcat."
 
Picha, a 1993 graduate of CWU, was a two-year letterman for the Wildcats along the offensive line after transferring to CWU after two seasons playing for Wenatchee Valley College. Picha earned Honorable Mention All-Columbia Football Association Honors as a center, helping the 'Cats average 252.7 rushing yards per game and helping lead the blocking effort that allowed the 'Cats to log 34 rushing touchdowns, a CFA record. As a junior, Picha earned the team's Best Blocker Award.
 
"John Picha has not only been a co-worker in my life, but a true friend," CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said. "As I received my first head coaching opportunity here at Central, Coach Picha has always been there to help me navigate the process and keep the priorities of the program at the forefront. He has been by my side through all of the challenging times, and the successful times. It is hard to put a measurement on what John has done for Central Football and the athletic department. His dedication to Central Washington University is something that I admire and have a tremendous amount of respect for. He has impacted the lives of every player and coach that has walked through the doors of Central with a lifelong friendship and mentorship. Coach Picha has left the ultimate legacy with Central Football and will always be talked about with the highest level of respect."
 
From 1995 through 1999, Picha served as the Wildcats' Head Track and Field Coach, earning Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference Men's Coach of the Year in 1995. Under Picha's guidance, the Wildcats saw one conference title and a 17th-place finish at the NAIA National Championships.
 
Picha started out his coaching career with CWU in 1988, serving as a graduate assistant coach working directly with the tight ends. From 1990 through 1993, Picha served as a part-time assistant working with the defensive linemen before officially becoming a full-time assistant coach. For two seasons after becoming an official full-time assistant, Picha was able to work with the linebacker's group before assuming offensive coordinator and offensive line coach duties in 1996.
 
In 2002, Picha was named the American Football Coaches Association's NCAA Division II Offensive Coordinator of the Year after helping the 'Cats to an 11-1 overall record and the program's first-ever NCAA post-season appearance.
 
"John has been a fixture of Wildcat Athletics in a day and age where staying at one institution for your entire career is an anomaly," CWU Director of Athletics Dr. Dennis Francois said. "His contributions to our track and field and our football programs are immense, but the impact he has had on the lives of thousands of student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues during his career at Central is immeasurable. His name will be synonymous with the likes of  Tom Parry, Dean & Leo Nicholson, Eric Beardsley, Mike Dunbar, and Gary Frederick – true coaching legends of Wildcat Athletics."
 
Picha has been an integral part of the success and tradition the CWU football team currently owns. During Picha's tenure, the Wildcat football team owns a 263-117-2 record with a 166-50-1 conference record and a 14-13-1 postseason record. The Wildcats won the NAIA National Championship in 1995 and have made the semifinals twice and the quarterfinals five times with Picha on staff.
 
On August 9, 2013, Picha was named Interim Head Coach of the Wildcats for the 2013 season, leading CWU to a 7-4 record, including a 7-3 GNAC record. Under current Head Coach Chris Fisk, Picha has been serving as the Assistant Head Coach. Picha has been an assistant coach for seven different head coaches at CWU, starting with CWU Hall of Famer Mike Dunbar.
 
"Retirement is a little scary, letting go of something you have done for so many years and not knowing exactly what the future holds for you," Picha said. "It's going to be hard leaving the massive battery of energy called the CWU athletic department, with all the athletes excited to be part of teams striving to be better than the last. As a coach, you have the pleasure of living and working in that environment. In retirement, all I can say for certain is that I'll be meeting more of the fish in the Yakima River and lowering my golf score.
 
I would also like to let everyone know that the future of the world is bright! The student-athletes traveling the halls of CWU are every bit as good, if not better than the ones that came before them. One thing I love about Central throughout my entire time here is that the student-athletes are all striving to be their best; they try to leave Central better than they found it, and I will always admire that. Thank you all for everything! I'd like to give a special thank you to my wife Brenda, my son David, and my daughter Katie, all of whom are CWU alumni!"

Picha's official last day will be May 31st.