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Now, following 333 career victories, and at the age of 72, Titus is stepping away from coaching. He submitted his resignation as varsity softball coach at Marlette this past week.

Currently the part-time superintendent of schools at Carsonville-Port Sanilac, Titus simply stated that "It's just time" He then added, "I'm interested in doing my job here (at CPS) and having more time to play golf in the spring. Personally, it's time to go in a different direction."

In two different stints as varsity coach of the Lady Red Raiders, Titus's teams won 264 games over 12 years, chalking up six league, two District and four County championships. In three seasons as JV coach prior to that, Marlette won 69 games.

After coming to Marlette in 1968 as an elementary principal, Titus did very little coaching. He worked his way up to Middle School Principal and then Assistant Superintendent at Marlette before being hired as the Superintendent at Brown City Schools, where he stayed from 1979 until his retirement in 1987.

It was in the spring of '86 through '88 that he coached JV softball at MHS. In 1989, he moved up to the varsity position

"I played fast-pitch softball when I lived in Oakland County and I've had an interest in (softball) since then," said Titus. "I had kids then that were involved and I coached a Little League team for a few years. I just love the game, and that's why I got into it."

After a successful run from the 1989 spring season through 1995, Titus got out of coaching at Marlette.

In the spring of 1997, Cheryl Thomas, a former star player for the Lady Raiders, took over the varsity coaching position.

Thomas went on to direct Marlette to a pair of league championships before she tragically passed away during the 2003 season.

In 2004, Titus was rehired to take care of the Lady Raiders' softball program.

"I came back to help out for five years," explained Titus. "But, I didn't have a plan to coach five years."

Titus, though, has no regrets on extending his varsity coaching career from seven years to 12.

"It's been great. We've had some real success here. It's been a pleasure for me," he noted.

In those 12 seasons under his direction, Marlette has turned out 14 All-State players. Titus remarked, "I am proud of that. I've had All-Staters at every position except right field."

Reflecting on some his best seasons, he said, "It all started with Jill Atkins (All-State pitcher) and her success. Then Dawn Goss won 31 ball games one year... and we were ranked No. 1 in the State. We beat Merrill and Kent City that year (in regular-season tournaments), and they were the two teams that ended up in the State Finals.

"Emily Mroczek was the best pitcher I ever had," Titus continued. "Caitlin King (a starter the last three seasons) has been a great pitcher - she's got the heart of a lion. That 31-victory season was special, and in 2005, with Emily's team - that was special."

Titus then explained that he will hold a special place in his heart for the 2008 Lady Raiders.

"This team didn't win any championships, but they were the most resilient team I've ever coached," Titus remarked. "They were the best prepared team I've ever had. They came out in Districts this year and thought they could win it and played their hearts out. We didn't win, but it isn't always about that."