Ron Vanderlinden has been on the college football sidelines since 1978, but the Air Force linebackers coach has decided to call it a career. He made his announcement on Friday.

Vanderlinden had been in college football for 42 years and spent the last six seasons at Air Force.

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“After finishing a great 2019 season, it’s a perfect time to conclude my coaching career and announce my retirement. I look forward to starting a new chapter for myself and my family,” Vanderlinden said. “I want to thank Troy Calhoun for the opportunity to coach at the Air Force Academy. I can’t think of a better place to finish my career. Working with these players and the quality coaching staff Coach Calhoun has assembled has been one of the highlights of my career. I would also like to thank the many coaches and players I have had the good fortune to work with and coach during my 42-year career. I feel very fortunate and blessed.”

Prior to his time at Air Force, Vanderlinden spent four seasons as the head coach at Maryland (1997-2000). While his teams improved from 2-9 to back-to-back 5-6 seasons in College Park, the program decided to move on after the 2000 season. Vanderlinden was 15-29 in four seasons with the Terrapins.

After his stop at Maryland, Vanderlinden was hired as the linebackers coach at Penn State. He served in that role from 2001-13 before landing at Air Force.

Vanderlinden’s earlier coaching days included stops as a graduate assistant at Michigan (1979-80), and as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Northwestern (1992-96). Outside the B1G, Vanderlinden also coached at Ball State (1981-82) and Colorado (1983-91).