Football coordinator Gary VanDerzee has been coaching the sport for more than 40 years at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk in Albany County.

But after four decades leading the program, his time is coming to an end as the state playoffs get underway.

There’s never a dull moment at a Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk football practice.

“Hey if you didn’t have the Christmas pajamas on you might actually be a football player,” said head coach Gary VanDerzee, joking with one of his players. “You wear something flashier for Christmas?”

He is always full of zingers, from giving his players a hard time on their apparel to making sure they’re lined up correctly on the field.

“Just give us a little more support on the outside, okay,” VanDerzee tells his defense.

He is on top of it all.

“It’s just fun to be out here,” said VanDerzee, with a smile. “They have fun coming out here. I have fun picking on them and taunting them, and I know it’s time for them to leave because they start yelling back at me.”

It’s been that way for 41 years here at RCS. But after more than four decades leading the program, VanDerzee is hanging up his whistle after this season.

“This decision was made back in 2006 when I was originally going to do this,” said VanDerzee, who is also the New York state football coordinator. “And my coaching staff who were players for me, when I first started, convinced me to stay and they’ve allowed me to stay, and it’s been a great run.”

The run is getting an extension after the Indians won their third straight Section 2 Championship last weekend. VanDerzee’s grandson senior Jack McFerran is making sure his grandfather goes out the right way.

“I started football in the seventh grade and I have always had him to ask questions, always help me, and it’s been awesome,” said McFerran, who’s a wide receiver and defensive back for the Indians.

He and his teammates will look to prolong this last dance as they face Peru in the state regionals this Saturday. It’s the third consecutive season the two programs will battle for a spot in the state semifinals. RCS has won the last two meetings.

“It’s been awesome,” McFerran said. “To do it with him especially, and a couple other coaches, his last year, we just want to make it the best it can possibly be.”

RCS last reached the state championship game in 1996. Until the music ends, VanDerzee will continue to deliver his zingers, teach lessons on and off the gridiron, and just enjoy the ride.

“Every moment, I count as a blessing I get to come out and do this,” VanDerzee said.