Charleston, SC (Sports Network) - Jay Mills hopes he got the Charleston Southern football program back on track for his successor next season.

One year after a winless season, the Buccaneers finished 5-6 this past season - Mills' last as their head coach. The 51-year-old retired Thursday after 10 seasons and a 51-85 record with the program to pursue a career in athletic administration.

"I remember something Billy Graham once said and it has always resonated, 'A coach will have more impact in one year than a pastor will in a lifetime,'" Mills said, "and I have never taken that lightly. I believe this new career path will allow me to serve a broad spectrum of individuals from various backgrounds and assist their advancement by focusing on the whole person."

Mills was the winningest coach in Charleston Southern history. He led the team to its only Big South Conference title in 2005.

The Bucs finished 0-11 in 2011, but this past season, they won their final four home games and five of their final seven games.

"My passion for athletics and my purpose of growing coaches and young people fuels an intentional change in my career path," Mills said. "It is my desire, and I believe I am prepared to lead not just a sport, but an athletic department to this end."

The Sports Network