For the second straight day, a Rochester boys basketball coach resigned on Friday.
Rick Canton is the latest coach to step away, making the announcement Friday.
John Marshall coach Kirk Thompson resigned Thursday.
Canton leaves after just one year on the job at Mayo.
"Yeah, I would say it was a surprise," Mayo activities director Jeff Whitney said.
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"It was a great year; I just don't know if I'm the right fit for it," Canton said. "I just didn't want to do this for a year, but I don't want to short-change the kids, either."
Canton, 58, had been an assistant women's coach at the University of St. Thomas for two years prior to taking the Mayo job. He had also been the head coach for both boys and girls at Pine Island High School for a combined 27 years.
"It was my decision to step down," Canton said.
"I just felt for Mayo to go in a positive direction, it was a time for a change," he added.
Mayo was 11-16 overall and 10-12 in the Big Nine Conference in Canton's one season guiding the team. The Spartans flourished in the final month and a half, going 8-4 in their final 12 games.
"I enjoyed the season; we finished strong," Canton said.
Canton, who has more than 350 career victories, said he still has the intensity and passion to coach. He said as a head coach, he had high expectations for both himself and players.
"As a head coach, we have high expectations. We're our own worst critics," he said. "And as a head coach you hold kids accountable to high expectations.
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"I still enjoy coaching," he added. "But I suppose as I've gotten older I'm not as patient as I used to be."
Canton said leaving Mayo was a very difficult decision, and one he talked over with Whitney. Canton said he would not rule out returning to coaching.
"It's definitely got to be the right situation for me," he said.
Whitney will now turn his attention to finding a new boys basketball coach.
"My department will start to seek a replacement before summer," Whitney said.
Whitney would like to have a new coach in place before players begin playing in summer league.
"It's always best if you can get someone before summer so they can implement their system," Whitney said.
