ASHLAND – Nathan Chin, the common thread tying together the best years of modern Southern Oregon University football, has resigned as the Raiders' assistant head coach after 14 seasons on staff.

Chin's relationship with SOU began in 1999, when he joined Jeff Olson's roster as a quarterback out of Lost River High. Olson would be the first of four SOU head coaches Chin served under during two separate stints while developing a reputation as one of the most dependable and respected figures in the athletic department.

"Nate's been a part of the Raider family for a long time. In many ways he helped create the culture of our athletic programs," SOU Director of Athletics Matt Sayre said. "He's been a role model for student-athletes and young coaches, and one of my most valued colleagues. He's a special person with a special family and we will miss him."

Chin started his coaching career as a student assistant in 2001, the season SOU ended a 14-year NAIA Championship Series drought. He was on staff for each of the last six postseason appearances, more than any other coach in Raider football history, helping the team collect 12 playoff victories and becoming a national champion along the way.

Chin's latest stint at SOU began in 2011, and since joining the Frontier Conference in 2012 the Raiders have topped the circuit in cumulative wins.

He'll depart to accept a teaching and coaching position at Crater High, where another former Raider player and coach, Berk Brown, was named interim head football coach last month.

Said Chin: "I would like to thank Matt Sayre, the athletic department, Coach (Charlie) Hall, Raider football and all the SOU campus community for the opportunity and support over the last 10 years. It has truly been an honor to work for my alma mater and with so many great people. Since being involved with SOU starting in 1999, thank you to the people who gave me opportunities and made it feel like home. The support, guidance and life lessons learned during my years have helped shape me to the person I am today and I thank everyone who has been a part of the journey at SOU. This decision was very difficult but it is a great opportunity for me professionally and my family. My family is my number one priority and this opportunity allows me to give more to them. Southern Oregon University will always be a special place for me with so many great memories and I will always be a Raider."

From 2001-05, Chin coached while earning bachelor's degrees in mathematics and business and a master's degree in social science. He became the offensive coordinator at Mayville State (N.D.) in 2006, and in 2008 took over as the school's head coach, a position he held for three seasons.

Since returning to Ashland in 2011, he's been a receivers coach, defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator, and completed SOU's Master of Arts in Teaching program. After the Raiders made their second straight national championship game appearance in 2015, he was promoted to assistant head coach. Additionally, he served as an instructor in SOU's Health and Physical Education program.

"We would like to thank Coach Chin for his years of service to SOU," Raiders head coach Charlie Hall said. "His impact and influence on current and past Raider football players is immeasurable. We will miss him very much and wish him and his family the very best going forward."