Mesa Mountain View decided Monday to take its football program in a new direction, removing Tom Joseph as its coach after nine successful seasons that included a state title, three title-game appearances and six region titles.

"Making the coaching change has been an extremely difficult decision," Mountain View athletic director Shawn Rustad said. "We appreciate and respect the contributions Coach Joseph has made to our football program."

Joseph met with players late Monday morning to announce the change  to them. Joseph said he learned he was out as coach on Saturday.

"I didn't  resign," Joseph said. "The administration made the decision. Football is my life. It's what I intend to continue doing."

Mountain View posted a 92-27 record under Joseph in his nearly decade run as a coach. Joseph replaced Bernie Busken beginning with the 2002 season. Mountain View produced a 14-0 record that year and won the state title, the only one during Joseph's tenure. The Toros won or shared six region titles and made the playoffs every season between 2002 and 2010. They reached the championship game three times and at least the semifinals two other times.

Mountain View recorded its first losing season in school history (5-6 in 2010) after falling in double-overtime last Friday to Desert Vista, 31-28, in the first round of the 5A-I playoffs. The school's administration did not pin Joseph's ouster on 2010's performance.

"This was not a decision based on this season's record," Rustad said. "It was based on the evaluation of the overall program. We respect Tom as an educator, the personal qualities he possesses and the successes he's had at Mountain View.".

Mountain View will begin a search for the fourth coach in the school's nearly 35-year history immediately. The school has produced eight state championship teams since it opened in 1976 under Jesse Parker, then by Busken and Joseph.