Gazmend Osmani, or “Gaz” as players and colleagues called him, resigned after four seasons.

“I chose to resign for personal reasons,” Osmani confirmed Thursday after the school made its announcement public last week. “It was a tough decision, but I felt it was time for a change. I am very grateful for my time coaching at Bradford and will always love our kids. I have met a ton of great coaches and have had the pleasure of coaching some great kids.

“The children of Bradford deserve the best and I hope they can find a coach to bring the best out of them. I thank the north side community for always showing me their support and for supporting me at all times. I had a great 12 years coaching at Bradford, and I wouldn’t change the pride of the north side forever.”

Osmani compiled an 18-28 record in four seasons, but led the Red Devils to three WIAA playoff appearances, including a 43-27 loss in the 2021 playoff game to state power Arrowhead.

Bradford has made the playoffs seven times in the last eight years, including a Division 1 state championship in 2011. Bradford football has produced 11 NFL alumni, including 2011 graduate Melvin Gordon, who has passed for over 9,000 total yards with 70 touchdowns in nine NFL seasons. with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.

The only time the Red Devils finished with a .500 record in the Southeastern Conference during Osmani’s tenure was in 2021, when they went 5-2, good for third place. Quarterback Nate Olson (1,797 passing yards, 23 TDs, 8 INTs), running back Keany Parks (Division 1 Wyoming) and Quinton Henry (Division 1 Western Kentucky) have led a strong offense this season.

Brandon Menor, Bradford’s first-year athletic director, said Osmani is very good at relating to his players and will continue his role as a “teaching assistant/safety” at the high school.

“We hope to have a new coach in place in the coming weeks,” Menor said. “We will announce it when we do.

“We are grateful to Gaz and his efforts here over the last four years. He does a great job building relationships with the kids and, as a Bradford alum, he was especially proud to be our head coach “He will continue to be an important part of our Bradford staff in the building every day.”