WATERLOO - For the last 16 years, Mark Sinnwell has been smack-dab in the middle of the action on the Columbus Sailors' sideline.

Next year, however, he'll be a spectator at girls basketball games.

After a quarter-century in coaching - the last five as Columbus' head coach - Sinnwell has resigned his post at the school he graduated from in 1984.

"I'll always call Columbus my home school," said Sinnwell, who also coached in various roles at Cedar Valley schools like Cedar Falls, Waterloo East, and West earlier in his career.

"I'm not retiring," the coach noted. "I'm just gonna take a few years (off) … and get back into it. Right now, at this time, I just don't have the energy or the desire."

Few could question Sinnwell's desire the last five seasons, though, when he guided the Sailor girls to 71 total wins. Sinnwell also led Columbus to district finals appearances in 2005-06 and 2006-07, earning WaMaC Conference coach of the year accolades both seasons.

"He's been a big part of Columbus for a long time, and we'll definitely miss him," said Columbus athletic director Aundra Meeks, who hopes to hire a new coach by the end of April.

"I'll miss the kids … and the atmosphere we have at Columbus, and just being a part of the Columbus family," said Sinnwell, who averaged 14.2 wins per season after a 5-15 campaign this year.

That said, Sinnwell tired of the time-consuming, year-round job that high-school head coaching has evolved into.

He won't miss the travel, either. Starting next season, Columbus' conference will consist of 16 teams, stretching from Williamsburg to Western Dubuque.

Thus, Sinnwell won't miss "the stress of the game, and the long bus rides."

But, the coach noted, "some of the fun times did come on the bus rides, getting to know the kids."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com