Former El Camino Coach Gets L.A. City College Job

Ron McClurkin, who twice coached the El Camino College basketball team to the state semifinals, has been named coach at L.A. City College.

McClurkin will replace Reggie Morris, who left to coach at Cal State San Bernardino.

“I’m looking forward to it,” McClurkin said. “At least it’s going to keep me involved in coaching. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.”

McClurkin had been El Camino’s interim coach since 1988, but midway through the 1990-91 season, he learned that Paul Landreaux planned to return to his old job after a three-year leave of absence.

“I still don’t think he’s going to do it,” McClurkin said. “I just don’t believe Landreaux would coach at a (community college) again.”

McClurkin was a longtime assistant under Landreaux, who led El Camino to three state titles in the 1980s. In 1988, Landreaux was hired as an assistant at UCLA and McClurkin took over on a part-time year-to-year basis.

Landreaux became coach at St. Mary’s after a season at UCLA, but resigned in January. El Camino’s board of directors granted him a leave of absence each year he was gone.

McClurkin led the Warriors to the state playoffs in each of his three years at El Camino and had a 66-34 record.

In 1988-89 the Warriors finished 24-9 and advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament, where they lost to Chabot College.

In 1989-90 El Camino went 24-11 and lost to eventual state champion Rancho Santiago in the semifinals of the state tournament. Last season the Warriors finished 18-14 after losing to Santa Monica in the first round of the regional playoffs.

Ironically, El Camino upset L.A. City, 97-90, in the second round of 1989-90 regional playoffs at L.A. City. Jack Boyer, L.A. City athletic director, said Morris recommended that McClurkin replace him.

“We interviewed about 47 people from all over the U.S., but I liked his past record,” Boyer said.