Brian Mulligan Named Capistrano Valley Coach

Brian Mulligan was named basketball coach at Capistrano Valley High, Athletic Director Tom White said Friday.

Mulligan was interim coach for Capistrano Valley last season, leading the Cougars to a second-place finish in the South Coast League and to the Southern Section Division I-A quarterfinals.

“I was looking forward to [becoming head coach],” Mulligan said. “It’s a job that I have always kind of wanted, so it is a good deal for me.”

Mulligan, son of former UC Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan, took over for Mark Thornton, who led the Cougars to the Division I-A title in 1989 and to the Division I-AA title in 1992 during his 15-year career. Thornton resigned Dec. 6.

Mulligan has been an assistant coach for the Cougars on and off since 1985.

“We just have to keep a good program going,” Mulligan said. “I have been around the program for quite a long time and I think I know what it takes.”