Irvine Could Put Its Women’s Program on the Right Trakh

Former UC Irvine women’s basketball Coach Dean Andrea for Brea-Olinda girls’ Coach Mark Trakh?

The trade might be as unlikely as Winnie-the-Pooh for Larry Drew, but let’s consider the possibility anyway.

Andrea, fired March 8, said he’d like to pursue a high school coaching job.

Trakh, sources at Brea say, wants the UCI job.

So why not a simple switch-a-roo?

Trakh has proved to be one of the county’s best coaches; his record over 11 seasons is 286-37. And after coaching Brea to three State title games in as many years, he is ready for new challenges.

Andrea’s record (158-204 over 13 years) is certainly nothing to get excited about, but neither were some of his players’ attitudes. In recent years, a few Anteaters spent more time and energy complaining than they did performing. It didn’t help the situation.

At basketball-happy Brea, Andrea would find good attitudes--and good-sized crowds. Like Trakh, he can be very tough, loud and demanding. That’s good. The Ladycats don’t care for wimps.

At UCI, Trakh’s reputation as a winner would attract recruits. He’d already have one blue chip player--thanks to Andrea--in current Brea center Jinelle Williams. She signed with UCI last fall.

Now the flip side. Trakh has no Division I experience--a requirement UCI seems to be stuck on these days. Besides, UCI might want a female coach.

As for Andrea, even if he were given a shot at Brea, he said he’s probably ready to coach boys.

But he’s one of many who’d like to see Trakh at UCI.

“I think Mark Trakh’s an excellent coach. I think he would make a heck of a coach there,” Andrea said. “And he’s not always been my best friend, so I’m not just saying this.

“But I’d hate to recommend him, because these days, that would be the kiss of death around Irvine.”

Trakh isn’t waiting for someone to recommend him. He said Saturday in Oakland that he planned to inquire about the UCI job on Monday.

Apparently, there are Anteaters in his eyes.

Blurb Time:

--While the State basketball championships raged in Oakland, Marina’s Cherokee Parks spent Saturday watching NCAA basketball on TV, a loaf of pound cake at his side.

“He’s sitting here being a couch potato watching Duke,” said his mother, Debi Parks. “He’s got his feet propped up on pillows, and now he’s ordering me to take his socks off.”

Enjoy it while you can, Cherokee. Mom won’t be there to dote on you at Duke next fall.

--Elinor Tolson, the county’s leading hurdler while at La Quinta High last year, wasn’t happy when her parents told her they were moving to Fountain Valley last fall. Tolson even refused to go to school the first three days last semester.

She eventually relented and is now competing for the Barons.

--It only lasted five weeks, but Orange baseball Coach Ed Howard had a heck of a time playing Betty Crocker.

Howard, an economics and history teacher, was asked to teach “foods” for the first time last fall. He was given an apron and chef’s hat--both decorated with the Orange Panther paw insignia--and got cookin’.

Chef Howard’s menu?

“We stayed away from typical home-ec food like quiche,” he said. “We cooked practical things like omelets and pizza. You know, things you survive on.”

Barbie Ludovise’s column appears Wednesday and Sunday. Readers may reach Ludovise by writing The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, 92626 or calling 966-5847.