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Provo boys' basketball coach Craig Drury, who has won more state basketball championships than any coach in Utah history, confirmed Tuesday that he will retire after the season ends.

Drury has coached the Bulldogs to eight state titles in 32 years as head coach and is one of only six Utah basketball coaches to win over 500 games in a career.

"Thirty-two years sitting on the head job at a high school is enough," said Drury, whose teams are generally known for their fine defense. "I determined I needed to do something else and the program needed someone else. I think I am 100 percent during the season, but I don't want to do the offseason any more."

Coincidentally, Drury is retiring the same year as his old friend Stew Morrill, who announced his retirement as the Utah State men's basketball head coach. The two played high school basketball together at Provo, graduating in 1970, and have remained close friends.

Drury said he received a text from Morrill before he announced his retirement and returned the favor recently to his former teammate.

"In 1970, I broke my hand and Stew broke his ankle going into the state tournament," said Drury. "We didn't have the year we wanted."

Drury played a part in 10 of Provo's record 17 state championships. He assisted Bulldogs head coach Jim Spencer with the Bulldogs for five years, when Provo won two state titles.

Drury coached the Bulldogs to state championships in 1985, 1983, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2007, and 2008.

Many of his players went on to stardom in the college and professional ranks. Some of the top stars he coached over the year included Brandon Davies, Kyle and Chris Collinsworth, Mark Durrant, Alan Frampton, Brian Santiago, Mekeli and Tai Wesley, and Jake Chrisman.

Asked about his career record, Drury said he could only guess.

"It's about 550 wins," he said. "Someone determined a few years ago that I had won 500. Some day, somebody will figure it out and tell me. I've never been a numbers guy. I want to be 1-0 after tonight. That's all I worry about."

Going into Tuesday night's game, Provo is 5-11 on the season and 2-3 in Region 8 play, where the Bulldogs are battling for a spot in the 4A tournament.

"The game has changed a little with the spread offenses," said Drury. "We used to pack it and force people to beat us from the outside. We would seal the driving seams. That is more difficult to do with the spread offenses."

Asked what he would like to be remembered for, Drury said that the time for reflection will be after the season.

After all, the Bulldogs were set to play Salem Hills later Tuesday. Drury was worried about that game.

Twitter: @tribtomwharton