San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - San Jose State head football coach Dick Tomey announced his retirement Monday, effective January 15, 2010.

The 71-year-old Tomey will finish his fifth season at the helm of the Spartans and his 29th overall as a head coach of a major college program.

"This is a big-picture decision made jointly by me and my wife Nanci (Kincaid) in our best interests and in the best interests of San Jose State University," Tomey said in Monday's press conference. "The reason I've coached this long is because the relationships with the players and the coaches are the most gratifying part of the job for me."

San Jose State is 1-8 this season and has three games left, at home against Hawaii and New Mexico State before a contest on December 5 at Louisiana Tech.

Tomey, whose teams never experienced two straight losing seasons, has a 182-143-7 career record, having also coached for Hawaii (1977-86) and Arizona (1987-2000). He had a contract with the Spartans through the 2010 season.

"Dick Tomey deserves our eternal gratitude and heartfelt thanks for resurrecting the San Jose State football program," San Jose State athletics director Tom Bowen said.