Taft High Names Starr Football Coach

Troy Starr long had professed that he was in no hurry to leave his job as football assistant at San Fernando High. It was an ideal situation for him, he said. Good administration, solid community support and the opportunity to run the defense as he pleased.

But some opportunities are too good to pass up, and Starr on Thursday emerged from a large field of candidates as Taft’s football coach.

“I think there are outstanding opportunities there,” Starr said. “It should be a great place to work.”

Taft Principal Ron Berz interviewed 15 candidates, beginning Feb. 4 and concluding Thursday.

“He’s a young, bright guy and I decided to give him a shot,” Berz said. “He should fit right in with the Taft family.”

Starr, 29, replaces Larry Stewart, who died of an apparent heart attack in December after his first season as coach.

Starr was San Fernando’s defensive coordinator for the past four seasons and served as linebacker coach at Carson in 1987. He is expected to transfer to Taft as a physical education and health instructor.

“I’m sorry to lose him,” San Fernando Coach Tom Hernandez said. “But he’s been here four years, and he was ready (to run his own program).”

After losing most of its starters from a team that was 7-4 two seasons ago, Taft finished 1-8 and last in the North Valley League in 1991. Starr said he probably will install an option offense similar to the one used at San Fernando.