Former Granada Hills Coach Darryl Stroh is back in Southern California

One of the greatest coaches in City Section history, Darryl Stroh, is back living in Southern California after having spent the last 10 years in retirement in Arizona.

Stroh coached for more than 30 years at Granada Hills High. He was the coach for John Elway in baseball in 1978 and 1979. He was co-coach of the Highlanders’ football team in 1987 that won the City 4-A championship. He won five City titles in baseball.

“Somebody has to try to save the state,� Stroh joked about his return.

He’s living in Santa Clarita and returned to be closer to his grandchildren.

But rumors might start about Stroh, 75, returning to coaching, since he was seen last week attending the Oaks Christian-Venice game.

Of course, Stroh coached Oaks Christian assistant Kevin Carmichael in high school and is good friends with assistant Mike Maio. Another Oaks Christian assistant, Christian Potter, is the son of former Granada Hills QB Dana Potter, who Stroh helped coach as an assistant.

His former football coaching buddy at Granada Hills, Tom Harp, has gone on to become a successful boys’ and girls’ volleyball coach.

“He was the first to call me,� Stroh said. “He wanted me to know the defensive coordinator job is open.�

Stroh is too busy watching his grandchildren play sports to coach, but he hopes to make it to a few high school baseball games this spring.

If you see him, shake his hand, because he’s a true coaching legend from an era when City Section schools were competing against the best.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer