Falconer Is Leaving Laguna Beach, Moore Retiring From Laguna Hills

Laguna Beach High School basketball Coach Craig Falconer and Laguna Hills Coach John Moore said Friday they will retire from coaching at the season’s end.

Falconer, a walk-on coach, said he simply tired of coaching at Laguna Beach. The Artists ended their season Friday against Corona del Mar. Last fall, Dennis Haryung retired as the head football coach at the school and was replaced by assistant coach Cedrick Hardman. No replacement for Falconer has been named.

Falconer, 37, said he will continue to work at his fire protection supply company in Anaheim. He had coached at Laguna Beach in 1980-81, leading the Artists to a 17-7 record and a Southern Section playoff berth. Falconer retired from the job early in the 1981-82 season, citing conflicts with his business schedule, but returned for the 1982-83 season and had been there since.

Before the Laguna Beach job, Falconer coached at Estancia and Santa Ana Valley. Falconer said he has no plans to return to coaching.

Moore, who has been the Hawks’ coach since the school opened in 1978, told his players of his decision after Friday night’s regular season finale against Irvine.

Moore cited frustration over Laguna Hills’ limited enrollment--which he said makes competing with some of the larger schools in the South Coast League difficult--as part of the reason for his decision.

Moore will remain at Laguna Hills as a teacher and also said he plans to become a basketball official next season. Moore officiated in the Los Angeles area for six years before becoming the head coach at La Mirada.