A Historic Honor for Loyola’s Coach Grady

Steve Grady, who led Los Angeles Loyola to the Southern Section Division I football title, has been chosen Cal-Hi’s state coach of the year for 2003. He becomes the first person in state history to be both a state player of the year and a state coach of the year.

In 1962, Grady was a running back at Loyola and led the state in rushing with 2,097 yards in 12 games and in scoring with 35 touchdowns.

He took over as Loyola’s coach in 1976 and has a record of 260-74-6.

This year, after a 3-3 start, the Cubs won eight in a row, including a 21-17 victory over Long Beach Poly to win their second section title under Grady. The first came in 1990.

Bill Craven, who coached Garden Grove Pacifica’s football team for 28 seasons and compiled a record of 213-93-8, has resigned. Craven, 61, will also retire from his teaching position at the school at the end of the semester.

This season, the Mariners finished 8-4 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division IX playoffs.