Football: Coley Candaele is stepping down as head coach at Vista Murrieta

Coley Candaele, one of the most successful football coaches in Southern California, has decided to step down at Vista Murrieta. He will continue to be athletic director and track coach.

Candaele started the football program in 2003. He won a Southern Section title in 2011 and has taken his team to seven consecutive finals.

Two of his daughters will be at Vista Murrieta participating in track and cross country. He wants to be available to help them.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

He said Vista Murrieta will seek a high-level coaching replacement in football.

Candaele has been one of the most respected and well-liked football coaches. By stepping down, he also frees up his summer, which this year might include following his star quartermiler, Michael Norman, who will attempt to make the U.S. Olympic team.

There have been more than 60 football coaching openings in Southern California since the end of the season.

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