Torrance Selects Bynum as Football Coach

Bill Bynum, a former collegiate and pro quarterback, has been named football coach at Torrance High, Athletic Director John Radcliffe announced this week.

Considering his background, it’s not surprising that Bynum, a Torrance graduate who was a Tartar assistant coach the past two seasons, intends to feature a wide-open offense.

“Simply put, we’re going to throw the ball,” he said. “I’d say that we’ll pass at least 70% of the time. It will be kind of a run-and-gun, spread offense with a lot of motion. Whatever the defense gives us, we’re going to beat them at it.

“We hope we can go out and produce a hell of a lot of points.”

Bynum, 41, feels he has the perfect quarterback to carry out his plans in junior Jason Kendall, who passed for 1,689 yards and 18 touchdowns last season to lead Torrance to a share of the Pioneer League title and a Southern Section playoff victory.

“He’s a super talented kid,” said Bynum, who has worked with Kendall on the intricacies of the passing game.

Bynum was Torrance’s quarterback for two years before graduating in 1967. He went on to become a four-year starter at Western New Mexico, leading the NCAA Division II school to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title as a senior, before embarking on a journeyman pro career with the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals and two teams in the Canadian Football League.

He was the first Western New Mexico player ever drafted, taken in the 14th round by the Redskins in their first season under George Allen.

At Torrance, Bynum replaces Rich Busia, who resigned after last season to devote more time to his family. Busia guided the Tartars to a 35-47-1 record and two league titles in eight years.

Bynum was on Busia’s staff for the 1989 season and coached with the team last season before being forced to leave after two games because of a time conflict with his job at Hughes Aircraft. A walk-on, Bynum says his job will not interfere with his coaching duties.

“My company has allowed me some flexibility in my schedule,” he said.