Blaming Burnout, Starr Resigns at Taft

Troy Starr, one of the most successful football coaches in the City Section for the last decade, announced his resignation Wednesday after 11 seasons as coach at Woodland Hills Taft.

Starr guided the Toreadors to the City Championship in 1998 and appeared in four other championship games, including the last two.

“I’m burned out, tired, worn out,” Starr said. “It’s been a heck of a run, but it’s over and I’m going to hang out with my son.”

Starr, 40, announced in October 2000 that he was going to resign at the end of the season but changed his mind. This time, he said it’s official. The Toreadors went 13-1 this season and were upset by Lake Balboa Birmingham, 35-7, at the Coliseum.

Starr’s record was 111-28-1, including 11 consecutive playoff appearances. Off the field, Starr received scrutiny because Taft was the beneficiary of top transfer students. Three times Taft’s football program was placed on probation for City rules violations.

Starr’s resignation opens up one of the most desired football jobs in the City. Taft is one of the few schools that still has several hundred open-enrollment slots.

-- Eric Sondheimer

USC continues to build one of the top football recruiting classes in the nation, with its latest commitments coming from offensive lineman Sam Baker of Tustin, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis of Chino and defensive back Terrell Thomas of Rancho Cucamonga.

Baker, at 6 feet 5 and 315 pounds, was considered one of the top linemen in the country. Ellis, The Times’ lineman of the year, had 19 tackles for losses.