J. Bruce Munro stepped down yesterday as Harvard's varsity soccer and lacrosse coach. Athletic director Robert B. Watson granted Munro's request that he be relieved of those duties, effective this fall, and that he remain at Harvard as head freshman coach in both sports.

Munro has been coaching at Harvard for 26 years, and felt that after that long a time "you start losing some of that desire and competitiveness." He cited his age (he'll be 56 next week) and the increasing pressures of coaching intercollegiate soccer and lacrosse as prime reasons for his decision.

"Soccer and lacrosse are becoming more pressurized," Munro said yesterday. "You have to work on turning out teams to win the Ivy and national championships. There isn't enough time to do the teaching I'd like to do."

As freshman coach, Munro said he feels he will get the opportunity to use his experience and knowledge to better advantage, and at the same time will be "retaining the one aspect of coaching I've cherished most of all--a relationship with the Harvard student."

With the announcement of Munro's switch from varsity to freshman coach, the status of current freshman coaches Dana Getchell (soccer) and Chet O'Neil (lacrosse) has yet to be decided for next year. "There's been a go-around in the department," Munro said yesterday, "and I don't know yet what will happen."

Munro will be serving on the selection committee which begins its task of finding his successor immediately. The committee also includes Watson, Associate Athletic Director Baaron Pittenger, Assistant Athletic Director Eric Cutler, 1974 soccer captain Steve Mead and present lacrosse co-captains Charles Kittredge and Andrew Anderson.

Munro said the task will not be one of recruiting. "As soon as word gets out," he said, "we'll get plenty of applicants. Harvard is a fine place and it's a good job." He added that the committee is looking for a young coach with enough experience and qualifications to handle both sports.

Although the soccer team had a disappointing season last fall, Munro's 26-year record is impressive (192-85-25) and includes five Ivy crowns outright and a share of three NCAA semifinal appearances in 1969 and 1971 and 22 winning seasons.

Munro will coach the lacrosse team this spring for the 25th season, having notched a 170-163-7 record over the years.