Stroh Resigns as Granada Hills Co-Coach : High school football: He steps down after nine successful seasons but will stay on as baseball coach.

Darryl Stroh, whose teams won City Section titles in two major sports at Granada Hills High, has stepped down after nine seasons as co-coach of the school’s successful football team.

Stroh, who led the Highlanders to the 4-A Division football crown in 1987 with an upset of heavily favored and nationally ranked Carson, told the team this week that he will not coach in the fall.

Stroh, 55, announced last spring that he planned to coach his final season in 1994 while school administrators sought a replacement for the following year. John Wordin, a former assistant at El Camino Real, was hired in June to coach the defense.

When Wordin was hired, Stroh hinted that he might step down immediately, but said he wanted to tell the players himself. Preseason conditioning began this week.

“When it’s fun and it doesn’t seem like a job, it’s fine,” Stroh said. “I just don’t enjoy it as much anymore.”

The Highlanders were 68-28-1 under Stroh and co-Coach Tom Harp, but were 3-7 last year.

“It hasn’t been as stimulating over the last two or three years,” Stroh said. “Over the last few seasons, I didn’t have my heart in it.”

Harp will remain as head coach, but said he is unsure whether he will coach beyond this fall. Harp will handle the offense and Wordin will take over Stroh’s duties as defensive coordinator.

“It worked out well being co-coaches,” Harp said. “We divided up the responsibilities and got a lot done.

“This will give him more relaxation time. (Coaching) is almost a year-round thing. You don’t get any breaks.”

Stroh will remain as the school’s baseball coach. Under Stroh, the Highlanders have won five 4-A baseball titles. He is believed to be the only active coach to have won championships in both sports.