Heim Moves Up to Varsity as Coach at San Fernando : High school baseball: Longtime head of JV team named to replace popular and successful Marden.

Administrators at San Fernando High did not have to look far to find a replacement for baseball Coach Steve Marden.

Their man was right there, in the same physical education department, no less.

Dan Heim, the school’s junior varsity coach for the past 12 seasons, was named Tuesday to succeed Marden.

With Heim, San Fernando has both an on-campus coach and continuity in the program.

“That’s the guy we wanted all along,” said Paul Swanson, the school’s administrator in charge of athletics. “He was just a little apprehensive about it at first.

“He’ll help us to maintain a good program.”

Heim, 45, joked that he hoped the school would find a “young, conscientious coach” but eventually agreed to take the helm.

The popular Marden left a considerable void that will be difficult to fill, Heim said.

“He’s the most knowledgeable coach I’ve come in contact with in the City (Section),” Heim said.

Heim is a graduate of Marshall High and Cal State Los Angeles.

Marden, 47, announced his resignation Oct. 4, citing growing disenchantment with coaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Marden and Heim are P.E. teachers at San Fernando.

Marden, who took over a struggling San Fernando program in 1975 and turned it into a consistent contender, in 1991 led the Tigers to their first City 4-A Division title.

Three years earlier, San Fernando played in the 4-A final for the first time.