Maranatha High School named Whittier Christian defensive coordinator Pete Karavedas as its next head varsity football coach on Tuesday afternoon.

Karavedas spent the past four seasons at Whittier Christian, the last three as defensive coordinator, where he was part of a very successful run, that culminated with the Heralds finish last season 12-2 and reach the championship game of the Mid-Valley Division.

He replaces Joel Murphy, who resigned in January after compiling a 47-16 record in five seasons at the school.

“What I’m looking to do is take everything I’ve learned at Whittier Christian and bring it to Maranatha,” Karavedas said. “My goal has always been to become a head coach and when this opportunity came up, my eyes got wide because I knew it would be a good place to begin my career.”

Karavedas, 26, inherits a program on the rise thanks to the return of quarterback Andrew Elffers, who was dazzling as a sophomore and figures to become one of the top quarterback recruits on the West Coast over the next two seasons.

Elfers threw for 3,328 yards and 37 touchdowns as Maranatha finished 8-4 and reached the second round of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

“As a new head coach, it’s nice to be able to walk into a situation where you have the No. 1 sophomore quarterback in Southern California,” Karavedas said. “I got to coach against him last season, so I know. He passed for 330 yards against us. We’re going to build our offense around him for the next two years.”

Karavedas was a finalist for the Temple City job last season before pulling out toward the end of the process to remain at Whittier Christian.

Maranatha had contact earlier this month with South Hills coach Steve Bogan about the position before Bogan opted to remain at South Hills.

Aram’s take: Like it! Coach K was definitely ready for a head job and it looks like he’s stepping into a great situation for himself and the school, given his experience at a Christian school.