Beckenhauer Leaves Open Eventual Coaching Return

One day after announcing his resignation as football coach at Crescenta Valley High, Jim Beckenhauer said Wednesday that he has not ruled out an eventual return to coaching.

“I don’t think at this point I’m done with coaching,” said Beckenhauer, who will remain a physical education teacher at the school. “I anticipate I’ll miss it and want to come back. I just want to take a step back.”

Beckenhauer, who led the Falcons to a 12-2 record, a No. 2 ranking in the area by The Times and a playoff upset of previously unbeaten Hart, did not say in which capacity or with which team he might return to coaching. He said he resigned because he needed a break from coaching.

“I have other interests that I would like to pursue and (coaching football) involves a great time commitment,” Beckenhauer said. “It wasn’t an easy decision. I enjoy coaching football.”

Beckenhauer, 44, said he decided at the beginning of last season, his eighth as head coach at Crescenta Valley, that this would be his final year in that role.

“For the last few seasons in a row he said he was thinking of this,” said Bob Canfield, Crescenta Valley athletic director. “He finally got to the end of his time. He said at the end of this year this is really going to be it.”

Canfield said he will accept applications for the coaching position until March 1. He said he hopes a new coach will be hired by the end of March.

Canfield said he already has been approached about the job by Alan Eberhart, the Falcon offensive line and linebacker coach last season.

Bill Irace, Beckenhauer’s most experienced assistant and coordinator of one of the area’s top defenses last season, said he has not decided if he will apply. Irace said he would be interested in remaining in his current position if Eberhart were selected as Beckenhauer’s replacement.