Terry Gourley, who helped Grace Brethren School's transition from an 8-man football power to an section 11-man champion, has stepped down as football coach and athletic director for personal reasons, it was confirmed Monday.

Mark Hoeffler, a member of Grace Brethren's coaching staff for the last six years, was promoted to head coach, said Ray Blackwell, executive director of Grace Brethren Schools.

An athletic director could be hired as early as today, said Blackwell.

Gourley also served as the president of the year-old Tri-Counties Athletic Association. The TCAA will hold an emergency meeting with its athletic directors on Wednesday to decide on a replacement.

Grace Brethren left the door open for Gourley's return as football coach.

"The hope and desire of the Grace Brethren School, church leadership and the Gourley family is to see Terry Gourley back on the sidelines," said Blackwell.

The resignation was effective on July 20. Gourley will be working with the Grace Brethren Church ministry.

"The purpose of Terry's decision is to allow him more time to spend focusing on his family," Blackwell said.

Grace Brethren was 21-6 in its first two seasons as an 11-man program under Dennis Stephenson. Gourley was promoted to head coach in 2004.

In Gourley's first season, Grace Brethren was 13-1, winning the Division XII title as Chad Kackert rushed for 3,437 yards and scored 56 TDs. He was named as the 2004 NFL High School Coach of the Year for Southern California.

The following season Grace Brethren finished 1, losing once to Oak Park and twice to Oaks Christian, including the Division XI championship game.

Grace Brethren was 2-8 last season in its first year in the Tri-Valley League. Quarterback Kevin Ramay set school records for most passing attempts in a game (59), yards passing in a game (335) and averaged 37 passing attempts in seven games in a season shortened by an injury.

Hoeffler has more than 25 years of coaching experience in high school and youth football in Simi Valley.

"It is a blessing that he has decided to step up and continue the tradition of excellence at Grace Brethren," said Blackwell.

Gourley had been Grace Brethren's athletic director since July of 2003. He was instrumental in the formation of the 13-school TCAA, which merged Tri-Valley and Frontier League schools with Villanova and Grace Brethren for the 2006-07 school year.

"He leaves some big shoes to fill," said St. Bonaventure principal Marc Groff, who was at the forefront of the association's birth.

Besides being the TCAA president, Gourley did the league schedules, handled all the postseason honors and hosted the meetings.

"His experience coming from another association prior to the Tri-Counties Athletic Association was invaluable," said Groff. "He did a terrific job.

"We may have to think outside the box and divide some of those responsibilities."