Longtime Cross-Country Coach Kelly to Retire

Joe Kelly of Palos Verdes Peninsula High, one of the most successful cross-country coaches in Southern Section history, will retire next June. Kelly, 57, has guided teams to six state and eight section titles since taking over the boys’ and girls’ programs at Palos Verdes High in 1979. His teams also posted four runner-up finishes in the state meet and 11 in the section championships.

“It has nothing to do with me being tired of teaching or coaching,” Kelly said. “My wife and I sort of want to play a little bit. It just seems like a good time to start a new chapter in our lives.”

Kelly, who guided Peninsula to the state Division I girls’ title last year and a No. 5 ranking in Harrier magazine’s national poll, coached cross-country and track at Palos Verdes from 1979-1991. Because of declining enrollment, the school combined with Miraleste and Rolling Hills to form Peninsula in the fall of 1991.