AUBURN — Football coaches are allowed to cry, too.

After an emotional game against a bitter rival, with the sky beginning to spit rain and sleet, Edward Little football coach Darren Hartley stood, like he always does, to address his squad after the contest.

This time, the words came more slowly. They were calculated. His lips began to quiver and tears welled up in his eyes. Four years after taking over the head coaching job at EL, Hartley told his team after Friday’s 29-26 loss to Lewiston that this would be his last as a head coach, at least for a little while.

“I’m so proud of all of you,” Hartley said, fighting back his emotions. “Each and every one of you has proven so much. You’re all like a family to me. I’m going to miss it.”

Hartley is stepping aside after 21 years as either a head coach or assistant coach. His family and school commitments, he said, were suffering.

“You can see, I have two young children, my wife has a wonderful business, and frankly my job as a coach at another school has taken away from what I try to do at Lewiston as a teacher in my (Jobs for Maine Graduates) program,” Hartley said. “When I first came to EL, I thought I could be here for 10 years. I told (AD Dan Deshaies) I thought I could be here for five, but I told my wife last year that this year would be my last year. It asks so much of us. It’s been a heck of a long year, but this has been a done deal from the get-go. I just feel so guilty for the seniors.”

Deshaies said after the game nothing had been made official, but that he’s sad to see Hartley go.

“It’s a great loss to the Edward Little football program and to the school,” Deshaies said. “He cares so much for the kids, he makes them accountable in the classroom, he makes them accountable in real life situations, and he teaches that every day. He’s a fantastic football coach.”

Hartley’s players, including junior quarterback Teven Colon, were also saddened by the news.

“It’s going to be tough,” Colon said. “He’s like one of my fathers. I never had a father. What can I say, I love him to death.”

Hartley left open the possibility that he may coach again someday, but not as a head coach.

“I’ve been an assistant coach and a head coach since 1988, and I’m tired and I want to be a better father, husband and teacher,” Hartley said. “I’m not done coaching football, I’d like to be an assistant football coach again someday, but I don’t know when.”