Lofrano Gains Approval From Key Committee at Pierce

Bob Lofrano, Chatsworth High’s baseball coach, Wednesday moved a step closer to securing a teaching and coaching position at Pierce College when he earned the recommendation of a Pierce academic committee.

Lofrano and Bill Norton, a Pierce assistant football coach who has been hired as a walk-on, were recommended to Pierce President Dan Means for two full-time positions as physical education teachers. Lofrano said that he will meet with Means today. Means would not discuss details of the hiring process and said that an announcement is not due until next week.

Lofrano, who has coached at Chatsworth for 11 years, said that he has passed the first hurdle in moving to the junior college level.

“I feel like the steps are falling into place and I’m going into that interview with a lot of confidence,” he said.

Still unclear is the title of the job Lofrano seeks. He claims that he is interviewing for the head coaching position, but Pierce Athletic Director Marian McWilliams says the school has an opening for an assistant to Bob Lyons, a business professor who has coached the baseball team since 1987 after a seven-year stint that ended in 1981.

Lyons, 51, said he would welcome Lofrano and respects him as a coach but that he has not set a date for retirement.

Lofrano, a Pierce graduate, has led Chatsworth to nine consecutive West Valley League titles and compiled a 188-59 (.761) record. The Chancellors won the City Section 4-A Division title in 1983 and were ranked No. 1 in the nation during the 1988 season.