Russell McCarvel, who served as the head football coach at Flathead High School for the past seven seasons, has stepped down.

McCarvel turned in his letter of resignation to FHS principal Peter Fusaro on Thursday.

“I want to thank the Flathead High administration for all their support,” McCarvel said Friday.

“I would like to thank my assistant coaches who worked tirelessly with the kids to make this program better. Finally, I want to thank all the players, past and present, who worked so hard to become better football players and people.”

McCarvel guided the Braves to three Class AA playoff appearances (2007, 2008 and 2011). Flathead finished 6-5 in both 2007 and 2008 and was 4-7 in 2011.

Flathead went 23-50 under McCarvel. The Braves posted a 3-7 record last season.

“I have immensely appreciated the tremendous amount of time and energy Russell has committed to the Flathead football program as the head coach for the past seven years,” FHS activities director Bryce Wilson said in a press release on Friday.

Wilson said McCarvel elected to step aside for the best interest of the program and the school.

While at Flathead, McCarvel was selected to coach in the prestigious Montana-North Dakato Badlands Bowl and the East-West Shrine football game. Both events honor the top senior players from around Montana.

McCarvel served as an assistant coach for one season at FHS before taking over the head duties.

He came to Flathead after coaching the running backs at Carroll College in 2005. The Saints won the NAIA national title that year.

He will continue to teach math at FHS.