The honors for presumably-retired Colton football coach Harold Strauss continue to pile up, as the legendary coach will be one of six to be honored by San Bernardino County Superintendent’s Office with an Education Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service Award at a ceremony on April 26 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Victorville.

“Considering that there are 20,000 people who are probably worthy of this honor, it’s humbling to hear my name called,” Strauss said. “I was humbled when (the Colton Unified School District) nominated me and I’m humbled right now.”

Strauss is being honored for his postgraduate contributions in education and coaching at a banquet that starts at 6 p.m. The entry fee to the black-tie event – which includes a meal – is $45 and you can call (909) 386-2947 for information.

Also Strauss may be officially putting his name back in play for the vacant Colton coaching job which opened up after he announced his retirement to focus on being Colton’s athletic director. The principal and school board are redrafting the job posting to be open another five days, for which Strauss may reapply depending on the language of the ad.

“I’d say I’m a little bit over 50-50 when it comes to reapplying, probably around 70-30,” Strauss said. “I can’t really answer accurately until the job is reposted.”

What might hold Strauss back from reapplying is any language that prohibits double-duty as AD and football coach. With his A.D. duties – and the school’s preference on him focusing on them – bringing about his retirement in the first place, he’s looking over that part of the posting with a fine-toothed comb.

“They have expressed in the past that they’d rather have the AD be just an AD,” Strauss said. “They did me a favor to let me coach this past year, but with the lack of teaching positions open, I’m hoping they are flexible on that.”

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