Doug Tarring has been the athletic director as Saint Anne's-Belfield School since 1980.
As of September 1 though, the former UVA lacrosse player will leave his AD post with the Saints and take over the team he first coached at STAB.
Tarring's first job at Saint Anne's-Belfield was JV boys lax coach in 1973. That team went 0-10.
But Tarring stuck with it, and the school with him, taking over as head varsity lax coach in 1979, a position he held for 31 seasons.
Tarring won seven state titles and over 400 games to become the winningst high school lacrosse coach in Virginia.
The 62-year-old has seen a transformation at STAB with the facility upgrades and the growth of athletics in his 40 years at the school.
"I think you always want to be in position to leave something which you hope is healthier than when you took it over," said Tarring. "32 years ago, we were a much smaller school with a much smaller program. I'm very proud of the fact that we've expanded from about ten teams in '80 when I took over to over 50 teams. We have a full blown athletic program, 7-12, middle school sports, multiple levels as well as a diversity of offerings for our students."
In his new roles, Tarring will return to coaching the JV boys lacrosse team and work as Assistant Dean of Students for grades 5-12 and in development and alumni relations.
"I'm still going to be very much emotionally involved in the outcome of athletic events and cheering for our kids and all that sort of thing," said Tarring. "I guess part of it is it'll be just less time spent in the setup and that sort of stuff. Athletics is my love. That's what brought me to the school to begin with way, way back when."
STAB's middle school athletic director, Rich Mazzola, will take over as interim AD during the upcoming school year before the search begins to find Tarring's replacement.
Tarring looks forward to spending more time with his wife and family.
