Saying it’s time to get back north, Dallas County High School football coach Marty Smith turned in his resignation Friday.

Smith has coached the Dallas County High football team for the last three seasons, compiling a record of 15-17. Under Smith, Dallas County made the playoffs the last two seasons. Before Smith’s arrival, the Hornets hadn’t qualified for the postseason since 2004.

Smith said he will finish out the school year at Dallas County before moving on. He teaches driver’s education, physical education and a social science elective at the school. He told the team of his resignation on Monday.

“It’s time to get back north around my family because that’s where my family and extended family and cousins nieces and nephews — that’s where everybody’s at,” Smith said. “It’s just time for me to get back up that way.”

Since taking the job in Plantersville, Smith has driven three hours each day from his home in northern Jefferson County.

In 2014, he took over a program that had won only four games from 2011-2013 and almost immediately got results. He won three games in 2014, the most the Hornets had won since 2009, and then went 6-5 his last two years at the helm.

From 2008-2013, Dallas County went 15-45 in football. In Smith’s three years, the team went 15-17. But the turnaround didn’t just happen on the field.

Seven Dallas County football players have signed scholarships to play college football during Smith’s time at the school. Three of those players signed this year.

“What an honor it’s been to be able to coach here the last three years and to see how these kids have bought in and how they’ve grown as football players, but most importantly how they’ve grown as people and the strides they’ve made in their own personal lives,” Smith said. “To see that is something I’ll always treasure and always remember.”

Smith said he’s unsure of his future plans right now.

“Right now, there’s a lot of things I’m looking at doing,” Smith said. “As I look to move back to north Alabama, staying in education is one of my options.”

Before taking his position at Dallas County, Smith led John Carroll Catholic to two 6A basketball championships in 14 years at the school. He also has coaching experience at Clay Chalkville and Southside-Gadsden.

In 2014, he assisted good friend and Dallas County basketball coach Willie Moore during the 4A basketball playoffs. Dallas County won the 4A state championship that season and Smith played an integral role in helping game plan for opponents. He was seen sitting behind the bench for the semifinal and championship games that season. In June 2014, Smith took the Dallas County High School job.

Since the year 2000, Dallas County has had 10 different football coaches. Smith’s three-year tenure matches the longest any coach has held the position in that time.