John Campbell, one of the most respected sportscasters in Iowa, will retire as the sports director at KCRG in mid-December.

Campbell, 65, began his broadcasting career at WBAY in Green Bay, Wis., in 1970 and began working at KCRG in July of 1979.

"It's time," Campbell said. "I've seen a lot of coaches and athletes say it's time. I know what they mean now.

"I've done it long enough. Time for new blood."

Scott Saville, the assistant sports director at KCRG, will succeed Campbell as director.

Campbell made the announcement at the end of the 6 o'clock news Monday, then discussed his decision with the Metro Sports Report.

Campbell said several factors entered into his decision. He said his retirement package at KCRG was a "critical" part of the decision. He also said several good people have left KCRG recently, which played a role.

He also cited changes in the broadcasting industry for his decision to step aside.

"The technology is a little daunting to me now," he said. "I don't twitter, I don't tweet, I don't facebook.

"In this business now, those are things you need to be able to do. I guess I'm not willing to go that route.

"I want to emphasize this was totally my decision," he said. "They told me a year ago when I did my contract, you can stay as long as you want."

Campbell said he might continue to work at KCRG or KCRG 9.2 on a part-time basis after he retires, but said no decisions have been made.

"I don't have any specific plans at this point," he said. "I want to take a break and see what's out there.

"I've been to a lot of games. A lot of games."

Campbell said his wife, Mary, is concerned about what he will do with all his time once he retires.

"I'm not going to sit in a rocker, I know that. That's not my personality," said Campbell, an avid outdoorsman whose "Big Ol' Fish" reports have been a popular staple of his broadcasts.

"She'll be glad to have me home," he said. "I've been gone thousands and thousands of nights."

Campbell grew up in Oskaloosa and graduated from DePauw University. He was named the 2005 Iowa Sportscaster of the Year and won numerous other awards.