Veteran Niles boys soccer coach Jerry Holtgren has announced that he will step away from the program.

Holtgren, who has been a part of the Niles soccer program for 15 years and the boys varsity coach for the past 12 seasons, cited personal reasons for his departure.

“I have three daughters that play soccer and it is time to enjoy watching them play,” he said. “Over the last year, I missed several of their games due to my own soccer schedule.”

Niles athletic director Jeff Upton said that Holtgren would be missed.

“Jerry is a great leader for Niles,” he said. “With young children, he wanted to dedicate more time to his family. Jerry will be welcomed back to our Viking athletic program in the future.”