I was surprised, but not shocked when I heard that long-time Jefferson Coach Larry Niemeyer was not going to be coming back next season to coach softball for the J-Hawks.

I was also saddened.

Whether you agree or disagree with the decision made by Jefferson Principal Chuck McDonnell, or the method by which Niemeyer found out his fate, one thing is for certain. His disappearance from the sidelines and the dugout means the end of an era.

It's the end of an era in many ways. First for Jefferson High School. Coach Niemeyer first coached at Jefferson in 1978. Think about that. It's several years before the parents of many of the seniors in the Class of 2012 had graduated.

He spanned an era with the J-Hawks, coaching with the top names of the school's glory years such as Jack Fisk, Bob Ask and so many others. He saw many highs and lows on the west side, but one thing was a certainty, his J-Hawk teams played the game the right way. And they usually won. They won three softball titles and one basketball championship. Many other teams were close as well.

It's the end of an era in another way. Larry Niemeyer was one of the last connections to the "old school" Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association.

Larry came in 52 years ago during the reign of long time IGHSAU Executive Director E. Wayne Cooley. Mr. Cooley made the "Iowa Girl" special. He made sure they were talented young ladies, both on and off the field or court. They studied hard, played hard and were leaders in their respective communities. And Larry Niemeyer was one of his top lieutenants in the field.

I will miss seeing and talking with Larry Niemeyer at Jefferson games this coming year. No matter the situation, Larry was a terrific coach to work with. I remember being a bit in awe of Coach Niemeyer during my early years because I was a young broadcaster and he was a legend in the coaching ranks. But soon we began to know one another and we have become good friends.

One thing about Coach Niemeyer that I will miss is the fact that no matter what the situation he would always give you his opinion, no matter if it was approval or disapproval of his squad. Not many coaches will do that anymore with the media.

I will also miss how much he cares for his players and, more importantly, how much he respects the game. Whatever he did, he did it for the long term benefit of his players. He also would never do anything to disrespect the games he loved, basketball and softball.

So here's to you Coach Niemeyer. It's been a great run, and if you decide to keep it going with another school and another program, I look forward to talking baseball with you on the sidelines before the game.

(Scott Unash is the sports and program director at KGYM-AM 1600 (FM 106.3). He is a six-time winner of the Iowa Broadcast News Association play-by-play Announcer of the Year Award. Scott and Mark Dukes co-host the Gym Class weekdays from 3-4 p.m. on KGYM-AM 1600 and FM-106.3)