Lawrenec High coach Dirk Wedd claps from the sideline during the Lions' game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 at LHS.

Longtime Lawrence High football coach Dirk Wedd told the Journal-World that he will serve as head football coach for one more season and at the end of the 2017-18 school year will retire from his position as physical-education teacher at his alma mater.

Wedd, 64, has coached football at LHS for 27 seasons, the last 18 as head coach (99-82 record). He said he broke the news to his players at a 3 p.m. meeting Wednesday.

“I’ve really never felt like I’ve ever gone to work at Lawrence High,” Wedd said. “That’s how much I’ve enjoyed teaching and coaching, being around the kids, great faculty. You’re kind of living your dream when you thought at 15, 16 years old you want to be the head coach at your alma mater and then you get the job. Pretty cool.”

During the meeting with the team, Wedd said he shared his thoughts on the upcoming season.

“I really feel bonded to the seniors now because we’re all going to go through the same things, meaning we’re all going to go through our last two-a-days together, we’re going to go through our last home game together,” Wedd said. “We’re going to go through summer weights together for the last time. I feel like it’s a good time, program-wise, and in my life. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop working, because I have to find a job and work for another four or five years.”

The Lions went 6-4 this past season and were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in a 52-49 loss to Shawnee Mission North.