"Thirty-eight years ­after starting his career at a ­Fresno, Calif., high school, Mike Martz decided to ­retire from coaching Monday.

"It's time," Martz told the Sun-Times.

His greatest pupil disagrees.

"He's a great teacher of the game and has great knowledge of the game, and he has so much to share," two-time MVP Kurt Warner said. "It's disappointing. But it doesn't fully surprise me."

Warner pointed to a conversation he had with Martz a couple of years ago, when the coach lamented if the right opportunities would be available to him."