After 26 years and a 209-54 record at Lakeshore, coach Denny Dock officially announced his retirement at a press conference Friday. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

After 26 years at the helm of the Lakeshore football program, former Dowagiac coach Denny Dock retired.

Dock, 61, was an assistant coach at Dowagiac under the late George Werner before becoming the head coach at Hartford in 1981.

Dock posted a 23-5 record with the Indians from 1981 to 1983, reaching the playoffs his final season there.

He returned to Dowagiac in 1984 to coach the Chieftains. He was 31-7 in four seasons with a playoff appearance in 1985 when he led Dowagiac to its first undefeated season since 1959.

Dock surprised many when he left Dowagiac to take the Lakeshore position in 1988. In his 26 years leading the Lancers he was 209-64 and made the playoffs 18 times, including every year from 1998 to this past season when Lakeshore reached the state semifinals.

Dock’s teams won eight district championships and five regional titles. The Lancers won 12 conference or division crowns.

His 263 career victories rank 15th all-time in Michigan.

“It’s been fun,” Dock laughed at his press conference Friday afternoon. “You don’t do it this long and a passion for what you do without it being fun. I’ve just been lucky, to find something I like and be able to throw yourself into and someway it kind of turned out pretty good.