McCluskey Steps Down at Golden West

Tom McCluskey, citing personal reasons, resigned Friday as men’s basketball coach at Golden West after four seasons, Athletic Director Tom Hermsted said.

Truiett Hatton, who has been an assistant at Golden West the past six seasons, replaced McCluskey. Hatton, like McCluskey, will be a walk-on coach.

Hatton, a graduate of Marina High, played at Golden West from 1980-82 and is third in all-time scoring and assists.

McCluskey had a record of 38-86 at Golden West and never won more than 14 games in a season. He was an assistant at Saddleback College for two seasons before coming to Golden West. He also coached five seasons at Tustin High, where he had a 109-40 record and won a state title.

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Running back Brendan McGraw and linebacker Brandon Smith have made commitments to play at four-year colleges in the fall, Saddleback Coach Dick Stuetz said.

McGraw, from Laguna Hills High, will play at Southern Methodist and Smith, from San Clemente High, will play at Connecticut.