John Beck has compiled a 117-92 record in 20 seasons as the coach at North Medford, Crater and Grant. (Photo by Mark Going)

Three years removed from a successful four-year run as Grant's football coach, John Beck is returning to the Generals.

Beck, who guided Grant to the Portland Interscholastic League title in 2019 and shares of the crown in 2018 and 2021, has been hired to replace Alex Melson as coach. Grant opted not to bring back Melson, who went 14-15 in three seasons.

It will be the fourth head-coaching stint for Beck, 63. He was the coach at North Medford (2001-03) and Crater (2004-16) before his first tenure with the Generals.

"He's proven himself at all his stops, so we're excited to have John back to help us build on the strength and tradition and history of this football program," Grant athletic director Odie Hollingshed III said.

For the past three years, Beck has assisted at 6A power Lakeridge, serving as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. He has continued to teach physical education at Grant, also assisting with the school's track team.

“I've always really loved the kids, always really loved the parents,” Beck said. “They've been just awesome. They treated me great all the time.”

Beck is well acquainted with the players in Grant's program. The Generals went 3-6 last season, 3-3 in the PIL.

“The excitement is there are some key pieces,” Beck said. “And I know these kids want to be good. I have them in class, I talk to them in different sports, I have them in track. We've got some of the best players in the state in the program right now.”

Beck said the administrative support, as well as the backing of the parents, was a key factor in returning as coach.

“Those opportunities, when you have all those things coming together, don't happen all the time in a lot of places,” Beck said.

However, Beck said it was a “really, really, really hard decision” to leave coach Spencer Phillips at Lakeridge. The Pacers made the 6A quarterfinals the last two seasons.

“What an awesome experience to get to learn from Spencer Phillips, who is one of the most brilliant football minds I've ever been around in my life,” Beck said. “They're such fantastic coaches. And the kids, their dedication and attention to detail is phenomenal.”

Beck compiled a 28-7 record at North Medford, leading the Black Tornado to the state final in 2003. He went 69-68 with four conference titles at Crater before going 20-17 at Grant, including 16-2 in the PIL. In his three 6A playoff appearances at Grant, the Generals lost in the first round.

Beck's first order of business is putting together a coaching staff.

“I want to build the best staff I can to help those kids be the best they can be,” he said.