Ed Bowen Will Return to Coach Basketball at Laguna Beach

Ed Bowen, who guided Laguna Beach High School to the Southern Section 1-A division basketball title in 1962, is returning as the Artists’ coach.

Bowen replaces Craig Falconer, who resigned in February following an 8-15 season. Bowen served as the Artists’ coach from 1961-67 and developed such standout players as John Pitts, Phil Anderson and Ron Lutz. Besides winning one title, he led the Artists to the 2-A division championship game in 1963.

He remained at the school following his retirement in 1967 and currently is the chairman of Laguna Beach’s industrial arts department in his 22nd year at the school.

“I’ve been itching to get back into coaching for a long time,” Bowen said. “The school will be moving into a new league in two years, and when the job opened up, I thought I couldn’t pass it up.

“There’s a good nucleus of players coming back led by Coby Naess, although it looks like I’m going to have to find replacements for my entire staff.”