Trakh Decides to Leave : Basketball: Changing his mind again, successful Brea-Olinda girls’ coach accepts job at Pepperdine.

Mark Trakh, the Brea-Olinda girls’ basketball coach who accepted and then rejected an offer to become the women’s coach at Pepperdine, has changed his mind again and will leave Brea for the college ranks after all.

Pepperdine announced Trakh’s latest decision on Wednesday, one day after he addressed his three-time defending State Division II championship team.

It ended one of the toughest weeks of Trakh’s life, one in which he received more advice than ever before. And almost unanimously, the advice was to move on.

“It was a very difficult decision between two wonderful places, and I just decided to accept the challenge of moving on,” Trakh said Wednesday afternoon. “My players and ex-players convinced me that (Pepperdine) was the place to be. I’m really close to my players and they convinced me that if I didn’t take the challenge, I would regret it later on.

“I couldn’t lose. It was a decision between two wonderful places.”

Trakh, 35, met briefly with Pepperdine Athletic Director Wayne Wright on Monday.

“I asked him if he would consider taking me back and allowing me the opportunity and he said he would, in a very brief and positive meeting,” Trakh said.

Wright, attending an NCAA meeting, was unavailable for comment, but said in a press release: “I am glad things have worked out and that Mark is on board to direct the women’s basketball program at Pepperdine. Mark has proven to be an excellent teacher of the game at Brea-Olinda High, and I am confident he will be an outstanding addition to the coaching staff at Pepperdine.”

Said Trakh: “I’m extremely fortunate, lucky and grateful that I still have the opportunity.”

When Trakh accepted the position the first time on June 16, he informed his team of his decision on the afternoon of June 18, after the announcement had been made. He then had a change of heart and called Wright that night to decline the offer.

The university continued its search, conducting more interviews during the interim period, until Trakh reconsidered.

Brea had a 356-42 record in 13 seasons under Trakh and hasn’t lost more than two games a season since the 1986-87 team’s 24-4 record.

The Ladycat program has become arguably one of the greatest in state history, winning four state championships (tied with San Diego Point Loma), appearing in five state championship games (tied with Sacramento Grant) and winning three consecutive state titles (second only to Point Loma’s four).

Brea returns its entire team next season. Assistant Coach John Hattrup, who 1 1/2 weeks ago had planned to apply for one of two assistant positions at Pepperdine, has decided to remain at Brea and apply for Trakh’s vacated job.

In addition to the support Trakh received from those who played under his guidance, he also considered that he might never get another chance to coach a college program after turning down Pepperdine the first time.

“That played a good role (in the decision),” he said. “I’m given a chance at the perfect institution. That went through my mind. I think in the end, it was the wisest decision.”

Trakh was a finalist for jobs at Cal State Fullerton last year and Cal Sate Los Angeles in 1991. He turned down the Chapman position in 1989, and had looked into openings at Nevada and Northern Arizona this year but didn’t interview.

At Pepperdine, he succeeds Ron Fortner, who resigned in April after posting a 10-year record of 131-153.

The Waves (15-15, 7-7 in the West Coast Conference) have six returning players and five incoming freshmen. There are two seniors, including point guard Aimee McDaniel from Brea, an all-conference player who led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists.