Frankford's Peffle stepping down as coach

Bob Peffle, one of the winningest coaches in city history, is retiring at the end of the school year.

A longtime teacher and coach at Frankford High, Peffle is leaving the school district and his perch as the coach of the Pioneers' wrestling and baseball teams, according to his baseball assistant, Juan Namnun.

Peffle also coaches soccer at La Salle, but Namnun could not confirm whether Peffle was leaving that post as well. Peffle could not be reached last night.

A multisport athlete in his days as a Frankford student, Peffle won championships for each of the three teams he coached. He won five Catholic League soccer titles at La Salle, including the last two; 11 Public League crowns in wrestling; and four Public League titles on the diamond.

In the 2004-05 school year, he won championships in all three sports.

Two winters ago, Peffle underwent hip surgery, and he had to miss the remainder of the 2005-06 wrestling season. He decided in the off-season to step down as the wrestling coach. However, his replacement was unable to commit full time, and Peffle stepped back into the fold, leading the Pioneers to an unprecedented 11th straight crown.- Jeff McLane