Mayberry Resigns as Kennedy’s Coach

LA PALMA —  John Mayberry, Kennedy High School boys’ basketball coach the last 18 years, resigned Friday, Athletic Director Tom Wallace said.

Mayberry, 66, will remain at the school as a physical education teacher. He stepped down to concentrate on private ventures, Wallace said. Mayberry is also the president-elect of the California Assn. of Coaches.

Under Mayberry, the Fighting Irish won the Southern Section 3-A title in 1988 and were Division II-A runners-up in 1992. He had a 304-166 career record.

Katella’s Tom Danley, Mater Dei’s Gary McKnight and Ocean View’s Jim Harris are the county’s only active coaches who have won more games at one school.

Mayberry played baseball at Berkeley High School in Northern California. He later coached the sport at Ohio University and was a scout for the Cincinnati Reds. He has been a coach for 40 years.

Mayberry, who was hired at Kennedy in 1964, when the school opened, became an assistant basketball coach in 1968 and the varsity coach in 1977.

In 1988, the Fighting Irish defeated Tustin, 58-54, to win the 3-A title. They reached the state Division II semifinals before losing to Bakersfield Foothill. Mayberry was named The Times Orange County coach of the year.

In 1992, the Fighting Irish lost to Trabuco Hills, 52-50, in the Division II-A final. They did not make the playoffs this year.