The University of San Diego announced earlier this week that head football coach Dale Lindsey, the winningest coach in the program’s history, he would retire after 10 seasons with the bullfighters.

But the 80-year-old coach disputed that claim Wednesday, telling the San Diego Union-Tribune that he was «shown the door.»

Dale Lindsey poses for his 2006 NFL portrait. (fake images)

Associate Vice President and CEO of Athletics Bill McGillis made the announcement Tuesday, calling Lindsey «one of the best head coaches» in San Diego history and «one of the elite head coaches in college football.»

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«Coach Lindsey is leaving an incredible legacy at the University of San Diego. Beyond the extraordinary level of championship success our program has achieved under his leadership, Coach Lindsey set a standard of excellence for the youth in our program and the lessons that I have learned from him will last a lifetime. The numbers speak for themselves, but they don’t even begin to tell the story of the impact he has had on the USD,» McGillis said.

«His emphasis and commitment to the value of a college education has been the true hallmark of his leadership from day one. He will retire from USD as one of the greatest head coaches in the history of our university and one of the coaches in elite boss in college football. Tremendous man. Tremendous coach. Tremendous leader. Coach Lindsey led our program with great integrity and has built a model program in every sense of the word. His presence and leadership have been a gift to our student-athletes, alumni, coaches and community. We have been blessed.»

But Lindsey painted a different picture of his outing, telling the Union-Tribune that he «didn’t [expletive] retire.»

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«They showed me the door and I would like to train. That is my story and I will keep it,» he said.

«I wasn’t planning on retiring,» Lindsey continued. «I know chronologically how old I am. But I don’t function like an 80-year-old man. If you stay at home, you turn into a vegetable, and vegetables die sooner or later. I’ve seen too many trainers.» work hard for 40 years, think they’re going off to a golden parachute retirement.

«Then they’re dead in six months. I don’t want to be one [of those]nor do I claim to be.»

Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington talks with linebackers coach Dale Lindsey during training camp in Ashburn, Virginia on August 4, 2004.

Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington talks with linebackers coach Dale Lindsey during training camp in Ashburn, Virginia on August 4, 2004. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Lindsey finished his decade-long career in San Diego with an 80-30 record, which included seven PFL championships and five FCS playoff appearances. He was also a three-time PFL Coach of the Year.

McGillis repeatedly refused to answer the outlet’s question about Lindsey’s claim that he was fired. The veteran coach said he was never offered an explanation.

«I didn’t understand a reason. I’ve been fired before. You never have a reason. I can’t tell you more than what I was told, ‘You don’t work here anymore. Goodbye,'» Lindsey said.

Lindsey played in the NFL after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1965. After eight seasons, he would play one more season with the New Orleans Saints.

Following his playing career, Lindsey coached several different NFL teams, including the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, and San Diego Chargers.