Keith Knoop steps down as Burroughs football coach

Keith Knoop, who has been a mainstay in the Burroughs High football program for more than two decades, stepped down as head coach Wednesday morning, citing health concerns, changes in the game and a desire to take some time off from football as reasons for his departure.

Knoop, who just finished his 19th season with the Indians and has a 29-year career in coaching, said a multitude of factors came into his decision.

“It was really something that had been on my mind for a couple of years,” said Knoop, who played football and graduated from Burbank High in 1981. “This was my 29th season coaching football. I started at Chaminade way back when, then went to [Glendale Community College] and then spent 24 years here at Burroughs. I really haven’t had a summer off from football since I was a player in 1977.

“Also, I have some health issues that I have to deal with. I have diabetes and it’s almost impossible to manage that during football season, with all the stress, the long hours and eating like crap. ...It was starting to affect my health and I really wasn’t feeling good, so that was a big concern for me.”

Knoop went on to say that changes in the game of football since he started coaching also played a part in his decision.

“Football is changing and it’s changed a lot over the years,” he said. “I know I’m kind of an old school guy when it comes to football and I think that was weighing on me a little bit. Just the concussions and all the concerns have changed the game somewhat.”

Following a team meeting at 7 a.m. Wednesday in which Knoop broke the news to the Indians players, the coach announced his decision via Twitter one hour later, writing:“Want to say thank you to everyone I have [met] who has made my coaching stint at John Burroughs great. I have stepped down as head coach.”

While the news was made Wednesday, the writing on the wall came earlier in the year.

“It really wasn’t that big of a shock to some of us, because there was some talk about him maybe stepping down earlier in the season,” senior quarterback Steven Hubbell said. “But we want what’s best for him and we want him to do what he has to for his health, that’s the most important thing.

“I think the success that the program has had is a direct reflection of him. He is the hardest working coach and the most competitive coach that I have ever had. ...I’m just glad I was able to play for him.”

Knoop’s role as a coach extended past the field for many of his players.

“He was definitely more than just a coach to us,” senior lineman Anthony Garcia. “He was in a leadership role for us and he taught us a lot about life and how to get over adversity and not just in football. He’s a tough coach, but you could tell he cared.”

Known for his meticulous game preparation, Knoop’s attention to detail wasn’t lost on his players.

“His game preparation was just ridiculous,” senior receiver Erick Hernandez said. “He would spend so much time preparing for an opponent, we would know exactly what they were going to do on any given play because he helped us to be so prepared. His dedication to making us successful was amazing.”

Burroughs had one of its most successful campaigns in recent years this past season. The Indians marched through Pacific League play with a 7-0 record, earning their first title since 2012. The Indians ended the season with a 10-2 record, falling to St. Francis, 21-7, in the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division quarterfinals. Knoop also notched his 100th career win during the campaign.

“Our success this season also played a part in my decision,” said Knoop, who informed the Burroughs administration the previous week that he would be stepping down. “We finished 10-2, we won a league championship and made it to the quarterfinals. I thought I better do it now because who knows, I might go 1-9 next year and be pissed off I went out on a 1-9 year.

“This is just a good time for me to step away from coaching, take a deep breath and enjoy some time off for a change. ...I have done football my whole life, as a coach and a player, and I don’t know what it’s like to have time off. But what I will really miss is the collaboration with my coaches and what we’ve been doing during spring, summer and fall now. I’ll also miss the three juniors that have been with me and the program for three years.”

Knoop will remain on staff at Burroughs as a teacher and chair of the physical education department. He has aspirations of taking over the athletic director duties at the school when longtime administrator Marty Garrison steps down.

“That might me coming in a year or so, so that would be a good transition for me,” Knoop said.

Under Knoop, who served as an assistant coach at the school before taking over the head coaching duties in 1997, Burroughs captured five Pacific League championships. Despite playing for years in the daunting Foothill League before joining the Pacific League in 2006, Knoop ended his tenure at Burroughs with a winning record of 103-99.

“That was one of my goals as a coach, to finish above .500,” Knoop said.

Although he might be stepping away from football as a head coach, Knoop hasn’t ruled out a return to the sport in the future.

“This a good time to take care of myself, get my batteries recharged and get my energy back,” he said. “I’m not opposed to coaching in football maybe later down the road as an assistant. I think I can be a great assistant coach for somebody, if they will have me.”

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Jeff Tully, jeff.tully@latimes.com

Twitter: @jefftsports