CALALLEN - The legendary coach of the Calallen Wildcats Phil Danaher called it a career on Monday, announcing his retirement after nearly 50 years in coaching.

Danaher, a 1967 Harlingen High School graduate, is the winningest coach in Texas High School Football history with 490 career victories. Danaher has led Calallen to 37 consecutive playoff appearances, 24 district championships and two trips to the state championship game.

In his 38 years at Calallen, Danaher's Wildcats missed the playoffs only once, his first season as head coach. 

Danaher will step aside in January after a career that spanned 48 seasons. 

The legendary coach was an all-state running back at Harlingen before playing in college at Angelo State University. Danaher's family confirmed early in the season that he is suffering from mild dementia and is partially the reason for his retirement.