University of New Hampshire football coach Sean McDonnell watches his Wildcats in action during a 44-19 win over Fordham in the second round of the NCAA FCS Championships on Dec. 6, 2014, in Durham. McDonnell announced his retirement from the Wildcats on Wednesday.
University of New Hampshire football coach Sean McDonnell watches his Wildcats in action during a 44-19 win over Fordham in the second round of the NCAA FCS Championships on Dec. 6, 2014, in Durham. McDonnell announced his retirement from the Wildcats on Wednesday. Credit: Jim Cole / ap file

DURHAM, N.H. — New Hampshire head football coach Sean McDonnell announced his retirement Wednesday after leading the Wildcats for 23 years.

“It’s time for a new face, new ideas and a new way of doing things around here,” McDonnell said in a statement.

“I can’t begin to say thank you enough for the opportunities the University of New Hampshire has given to me: as a student, as an assistant coach and then as its head football coach. This has been the honor of a lifetime.”

McDonnell’s 157 career wins rank second in UNH history behind Bill Bowes, his former head coach and National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Famer, at 175.

The Wildcats had a 14-year run of NCAA playoff berths and 14 playoff victories from 2004-2017, including three conference championships.

McDonnell was a defensive back for the Wildcats from 1975-1978 and served eight seasons as an assistant coach at UNH, including five years as offensive coordinator.

The Wildcats struggled in the final season under McDonnell. After beating Stony Brook, Towson and Lafayette to open the schedule, UNH lost the rest of the way to finish 3-8. Only one of the eight defeats was by fewer than two touchdowns.