Prep Review / Tom Hamilton : Mullen Plans New Unconventional Move

The uncertainity over the probable resignation of Anaheim High School football Coach Ted Mullen to assume an assistant coaching position at Palm Desert High as he nears retirement is puzzling.

Mullen, one of Orange County’s most successful coaches over the past 18 years, has not resigned at Anaheim, but the personnel services division of Anaheim Union High School District posted a vacancy notice for the position a week ago.

Mullen has indicated that he wants to eventually retire in the Palm Desert area. Hal Rose, Palm Desert football coach, said Mullen is the leading candidate to become an assistant at the school and is “90% certain” that Mullen will join his staff. But so far, it has not been decided whether Mullen will be offered a teaching position.

Confusing? Yes, but befitting a man who seldom does anything conventionally.

Mullen’s 151-58-6 career record at four county high schools and his ability to lead three schools into Southern Section championship games is a testimony to his success. Few can match his coaching credentials. Fewer can match some of his exploits through the years.

Mullen was named The Times’ county coach of the year in 1981 after leading Foothill to the Southern Conference championship. You can look it up. You’ll have to look it up. You won’t find the trophy sitting in Mullen’s den.

The trophy has been collecting dust in The Times’ special-events department for eight years. Mullen never accepted the award. He was angered that star running back Mark Templeton was not selected to The Times’ first or second team and declined to attend the awards ceremony.

Foothill won the championship in 1981 with a memorable 35-28 victory over El Modena at Anaheim Stadium in triple overtime. It was the last championship to be decided by an overtime period with administrators deciding to declare co-champions in the event of a tie the following year.

The game pitted Mullen against El Modena’s Bob Lester, the county’s premier coaches of the 1980s. It was also the first championship game administered by Bill Clark, who left El Dorado to join the Southern Section.

At the end of regulation, Clark found himself in an uncomfortable situation. Only a year earlier, Lester had lost a championship game to Lynwood in overtime. He vowed he would never play another overtime game.

When Foothill and El Modena finished regulation play tied, 14-14, Lester told Clark that was enough, that he didn’t want to play anymore. Mullen wanted to play. The tension built at the end of two overtime periods, and Lester once again asked Clark to end the game in a tie. Mullen insisted on playing.

When the game finally ended in the third overtime, the players, coaches and fans were emotionally drained. It was difficult to distinguish the winners from the losers. This was one game that should have ended in a tie.

Not surprisingly, Mullen got his way and won. Surprisingly, Mullen and Lester have remained close friends through the years. Years later, Lester got back at Mullen with a practical joke while serving on the selection committee to find a coach at Canyon High.

During the interviewing process, Lester persuaded officials of the Orange Unified High School District to contact Mullen and ask him to apply for the position. Mullen agreed to talk to the committee, which was composed of district officials, the school’s principal and athletic director, Lester, Saddleback’s Ken Swearingen and several prominent booster club members.

When Mullen arrived for the question-and answer-portion of the interview, the committee chairman asked if anyone would like to begin the questioning. Lester was ready. The first question he asked Mullen: “Is it true you’re the biggest (jerk) in Orange County?”

For once, Mullen was at a loss for words.

There was more than a slight hint of sarcasm in Lester’s good-humored question. Ted Mullen can be difficult and demanding. Even so, once he makes the move to the desert, he’ll be missed.

Changing Fields: Servite running back Derek Brown, who established the county’s single-season rushing record last fall, threw officials of the Orange County All-Star football game a curve Thursday night when he told them he had changed his mind and wanted to play in the game.

Brown was originally selected to play in the charity game about two months ago but declined. He accepted an invitation to play in the Shrine Game at the Rose Bowl. Brown was replaced in the county game by Servite teammate Chris Johnson.

North Coach John Barnes has already met with his 36-man squad and all of the players have indicated that they intend to be in camp for the opening day of practice on June 19. The game is June 30.

If you’re the game officials, what would you do? Do you make an exception and create a spot on the North roster for one of the most exciting players to compete in the county over the past 10 years?

After all, it is an all-star game and Brown is a bona fide all-star. The game is played for charity, and Brown’s presence will undoubtedly sell more tickets.

Phil Anton, game director, said the ultimate decision will be up to South Coach Dave Holland of Corona del Mar.

Quotable: Sherri Ross, girls’ athletic director at El Toro, introducing three-time Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans as the county’s female athlete of the year: “Janet Evans is the creme de la creme . . . the gem of the mermaids.”

Dave Holland, Corona del Mar football coach, sitting at the head table with Los Angeles Rams lineman Duval Love at the Orange County All-Star banquet: “When I grow up, I want to be Duval Love.”

Gary McKnight, Mater Dei basketball coach, after receiving dozens of telephone calls from college coaches regarding the availability of former star player LeRon Ellis, who is leaving Kentucky: “I thought I got this over with two years ago.”

Ernie Carr, Dominguez athletic director, on Michael Jordan: “He’s so good, he embarrasses pros.”

Names and Numbers: La Quinta pitchers picked off 36 runners in 29 games, all at first base. Ernie Franco, Kennedy’s designated hitter, flied out to the outfield only twice in 90 at-bats going into Friday’s playoff game against Laguna Hills. Chris Sheff, Laguna Hills outfielder, batted .422 and became the county’s career leader with 129 hits despite going hitless in his first eight at-bats and going one for 13 to open the season.

Prep Notes

The second Bob Lester golf tournament is scheduled for Friday at Anaheim Hills Golf Course. Cost for green fees, cart and dinner is $60 with proceeds benefiting the El Modena High football program. For further information, telephone Frank Gibson at 532-3821. . . . Tournament director Chuck Reid announced that the Irvine World News basketball tournament will have 24 entries with the championship game scheduled for Dec. 16 at Christ College Irvine.