As expected, longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews announced Tuesday afternoon that he would retire at the end of this season.

"For 47 years it’s been about me,” he said in a statement. “Now it’s time to be about us – my family.”

Andrews, 68, who came to FSU in 1984 and helped build the backbone for championship-caliber teams, will stay on board through February 10 -- after the national signing date. He and his wife Diane will remain in Tallahassee.

Andrews provided a hand-written statement to the sports information staff that read:

“After last football season I told Diane I wanted to coach one more year. For several reasons we agreed that was the thing to do. We debated on when it should be announced – before the season or after it. Because of a lot of speculation and questioning from friends, family and media, we decided to go ahead and do it now. This is my last year as a football coach at Florida State. I has been a wonderful experience. We have been blessed. I just want to thank Coach (Bobby) Bowden for giving me the opportunity to come to Florida State in 1984. It has been 26 great years working for him. I also want to thank all the outstanding coaches and staff people I have worked with through the years. I especially want to thank all the players who gave so much of themselves to make this program so successful through the years. And finally, to the fans who make FSU so special – Go Noles!''