Marijon Ancich, the winningest coach in State high school football history, will step down as head football coach at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs to become defensive coordinator at Cerritos Junior College.

In his long career, Ancich's teams won 344 games, three CIF titles, two California State titles and 19 league championships. More than 200 Ancich-coached players have played college football and several in the NFL, while nearly 100 of his players have coached high school, collegiate and NFL football, 35 becoming head coach.

"The most enjoyable part of coaching," he said, "is when former players and alumni call or visit. Each one of them has made me proud to be a part of their lives."

Coach Ancich will continue his teaching duties at St. Paul High School as well as coordinate the Annual Hall of Fame Game. Ancich plans to run his annual football youth camp in July.

"Coach Ancich has been a major factor in St. Paul High School's athletic programs' successes," said St. Paul principal Frank Laurenzello. "He is to be commended for his record of wins with honor, as well as, the losses with dignity. Certainly, Coach A's direction and tutelage has touched the lives of many young men."

In 2000, Ancich summed up his objective for every player: "To give the young man the opportunity to develop his courage, his loyalty, his poise, the proper weighing of values and the proper control of his emotions in adversity, and in accomplishment. Such a challenge is necessary because a man ceases to be a man when he loses the desire to equal or surpass what has been done before."