"I don’t think the opportunity would be there for someone on my staff to get a promotion if I would have made this announcement at the end of the school year," he told CM Life Wednesday.

While the decision of his successor is not his, Deromedi said everyone on his staff was a quality worker.

"I wanted the President’s office to have some options," he said. "It shows the degree of respect I have for the people on my staff."

He was CMU’s football coach before becoming athletic director from 1978-93 and compiled a 110-55-10 record. His 110 wins are more than any other Mid-American Conference coach. His 90 conference wins are the most for any coach in MAC history. He also has the most wins in school history.

The hiring process for a new athletic director will begin shortly, said Maxine Kent, associate vice president of human resources.

Kent said employing a permanent replacement was possible, but "extremely challenging."

She said while appointing an interim athletic director is a possibility, a search firm may be hired to identify candidates.

Kent has yet to discuss the hiring process with anyone, but usually the President’s office will appoint a screening committee that will conduct a national search and recommend three to five candidates back to University President Michael Rao.

Deromedi came to CMU in 1967 as an assistant coach under Roy Kramer. He was the defensive coordinator on the 1974 Division II national championship team.

Deromedi said his decision was totally his.

"This was not initiated by the president," said Rich Morrison, associate vice president of Public Relations and Marketing.

Rao applauded Deromedi for 38 years of service in a statement Wednesday.

"The accolades that CMU’s athletic programs have earned do not just 'happen.' They can only come about under the leadership of a capable individual who is focused on leading his team to the highest level of success," Rao said in a statement.

Athletic facilities such as the Indoor Athletic Complex and additions to Kelly/Shorts Stadium have been made recently.

Deromedi also saw the opening of Theunissen Stadium for baseball, Lyle Bennett Track and the field hockey venue in the past few years.

A total of 34 teams won MAC championships during Deromedi’s stint as athletic director.

CMU athletics have had some of their best years recently.

The Chippewas won seven titles during the 2003-04 school year and captured the school’s only Reese Trophy for the men’s MAC all-sports champion in the 2000-01 academic year.

Derek van der Merwe, associate athletic director of compliance, played football under Deromedi in the early 1990s.

"I think CMU has been very fortunate to have someone like Herb Deromedi both as a football coach and an athletic director," van der Merwe said. "He was willing to make sacrifices and was committed to this university."

CMU’s athletic department has grown substantially under Deromedi's watch.

Deromedi has made a mark on many of his co-workers.

"He has been a big influence in my life," said Nick Williams, associate athletic director of marketing. "He has been a great leader for our athletic department and made this a great place to work."

Van der Merwe said Deromedi influenced many.

"He is not just a mentor to me, he was a mentor to a hundred people," van der Merwe said. "All of us have been influenced by him in some regard.

Deromedi was unsure about his future.

"Stay tuned, but I doubt I will give my next employer 38 years," he said.