Mike Morrissey informed his players Monday after school in a team meeting that he was resigning after four years as Prairie's head football coach.

Morrissey is leaving at the end of the 2014-2015 school year for a teaching and head football coach position in Arizona, pending their board's approval.

Under Morrissey in four seasons, his Prairie teams reached the playoffs three times and in 2012 reached the quarterfinals. During his tenure at Prairie, 20 players received All-Conference and All-Metro recognition including eight All-State selections.

"On behalf of my family, I want to thank the Prairie community for the opportunity and support they have given us over the last four years," Morrissey said in a news release. "We can't say enough great things about the school, program and people here at Prairie.

"It was a very difficult decision for us to leave but ultimately it came down to what was best for our family with the opportunity to be closer to my wife's family in Arizona. Whoever steps into this position will be blessed with unlimited support and a program with young men intrinsically motivated to be the best they can be."

Prior to coming to Prairie, Morrissey served as head football coach at Thornridge High School in Illinois where he led his team to the 2010 playoffs and in week 9 received the Chicago Bears Coach of the Week Award. He is the son of Ed Morrissey, an Iowa High School Hall of Fame coach who led the football program at Pleasant Valley High School for 29 years.

"Mike has done such a tremendous job both in the classroom and on the field," said Prairie Activities Director Rocky Bennett. "We are sad to see him go but we understand and support his family decision. A search will begin immediately and we are confident that we will find the right person to build on our recent successes."

Morrissey compiled a 19-22 record at Prairie with seasons of 2-7, 8-4, 5-5 and 4-6.