McNulty Leaves El Camino Real Basketball After Decade as Coach

Mike McNulty has resigned as boys’ basketball coach at El Camino Real High and has been replaced by Neils Ludlow, the school’s softball coach and an assistant to McNulty since 1989.

McNulty, 38, who has coached the Conquistadores since the 1982-83 season, cited personal reasons for his resignation. He plans to devote more time to running a family-owned chemical-manufacturing business in Maywood. McNulty’s father Tom is nearing retirement from the business, he said.

McNulty, who lives in Moorpark, said he is uncertain whether he will continue teaching at El Camino Real. He was employed as a full-time teacher from 1984 to 1986 and has served as a substitute teacher since.

“I need to put in more time (in the business),” said McNulty, a 1972 El Camino Real graduate and former basketball player at the school and at Pierce College. “Between putting in time here and the family and everything. . . . I get up at 4 in the morning just so I can get (to Maywood).”

McNulty led El Camino Real to a record of 103-110, two league titles and a 1983 trip to the City Section 3-A Division semifinals.

Ludlow, 52, who will remain the school’s softball coach, served as girls’ basketball coach from 1985-89 before joining McNulty in 1989 as a varsity assistant and boys’ junior varsity coach.

As softball coach, Ludlow has led El Camino Real to six City titles in the past seven years.

“I’ll enjoy doing it, but I didn’t look forward to seeing Mike retire,” Ludlow said. “As a matter of fact, I tried to talk him into sticking around. He’s such a good guy.”

Ludlow has not yet chosen an assistant.