Vranau to Coach North Hollywood

NORTH HOLLYWOOD — George Vranau has taken over the baseball program at North Hollywood High, succeeding Rick Pally, who opted to step down and be an assistant to Vranau this season.

Vranau, a former baseball coach at Burbank, Chaminade and Murphy highs with a 102-98 career record, taught at North Hollywood as a long-term substitute the past year, but recently earned his teaching credential and master’s degree and will teach full-time at the school this year.

His task outside the classroom, however, is not an easy one. He inherits a team that finished 7-18 overall and 1-16 in the East Valley League. The Huskies are 35-80 in the 1990s under three different coaches.

Vranau insists it’s time to turn things around.

“I am enthusiastic and upbeat,” Vranau said. “And I want the kids to see that so they can begin to feel good about themselves.”

Vranau added: “Is this something that I can sink my teeth into and get into it for more than one year?. . . . Not if Pepperdine came knocking on my door and wanted me as an assistant coach. I could make an exception for that.”