Football: Grady is back at Loyola

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At 63, Steve Grady is no spring chicken, but the former Los Angeles Loyola football coach was back on the field this week helping interim Coach Adam Guerra during practice.

‘I’ve been called into duty,’ Grady said. ‘It’s interesting that my legs are holding out for 2 1/2 hours a day.’

Grady, who was Loyola’s head coach for 29 years until his retirement after the 2004 season, said he is not a candidate for the permanent coaching position.

‘No, no, no, no,’ he said.

But he’s glad to help out a school where he continues to work and is much beloved for guiding the Cubs to four Southern Section Division I championships and playoff appearances in 28 of his 29 seasons. He was asked to help after the resignation last week of Coach Jeff Kearin.

‘We’re all trying to do what’s best for the kids,’ he said.

Grady still knows something about defense, but when told his favorite offensive play was the fumblerooski, Grady said, ‘Is that illegal now?’

-- Eric Sondheimer