BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – Tom Brennan, who led Vermont to the last two NCAA tournaments, will retire at the end of the season, his 19th with the Catamounts.

Brennan and Vermont director of athletics Robert Corran made the announcement Thursday.

“Tom has left a mark of distinction on our athletic program, the university, the community and on the student athletes who have played for him,” Corran said. “We are grateful for his lifelong contribution, and we wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Brennan’s 18-year tenure is the longest of the current coaches in the America East Conference. He has a 239-269 record, but the Catamounts won the league tournament the last two years and advanced to the NCAA tournament, losing to Arizona and Connecticut.

Vermont won 14 games in his first three seasons. The Catamounts have won 64 games over the last three seasons.

A native of Philipsburg, N.J., Brennan began his coaching career in 1971 as a graduate assistant at Georgia. In 1982 he became head coach at Yale where he was 46-58 in four seasons.

Corran will lead a national search for Brennan’s successor.