Good things come to those who wait, but the best things come to those who go out and do.
Mike Mulligan concluded a banner year as boys water polo and boys swim coach at Malibu High School. He led the Sharks to the school’s first-ever CIF boys water polo title back in the fall and a second place finish at the CIF swim championships a few weeks ago. For his efforts, Mulligan has been named The Malibu Times “Coach of the Year.”
It’s been a fantastic year for Mulligan and his aquatics program. Malibu clinched its fifth consecutive Tri-Valley League title in boys water polo and 17th in the program’s rich history after an undefeated run through league play.
Appearing in their fourth championship final in seven years, the topseeded
Sharks clinched the title with a 10-7 victory over No. 2 Segerstrom of Santa Ana in the CIF Division VI final. The Sharks were runner-ups in 2008, 2010 and 2013.
Despite going 30-1 a year ago and falling short in the finals, the Sharks were not to be denied this time around. Malibu ended the season 24-4 and now has a CIF championship plaque on display in the school’s trophy case.
This spring, Mulligan led Malibu to a third consecutive league title in boys swimming and fourth overall. The Sharks set multiple school records en route to a runner-up finish at the CIF Division IV finals.
With June now upon us, Mulligan will spend his summer days as a California State Lifeguard at Leo Carrillo State Beach where he has worked for the past 21 years. Then it will be off to Catalina and Big Bear for well-deserved vacations.
When school resumes in August, Mulligan will begin his 25th year as coach and PE teacher at Malibu High, and his 30th overall in his decorated coaching career. He has been at Malibu since the school opened its doors in 1992.
The Malibu Times caught up with Mulligan prior to MHS graduating its
20th class.
Describe what it has meant to you to be so successful in both boys water polo and swim this year.
It’s been a fantastic year. These kids knew coming into this year they had an opportunity to win CIF in water polo and have a realistic shot at winning CIF in swimming. So there was a lot of buzz and excitement. It was fun to watch the guys play water polo. We weren’t concerned about our record; our goal was to win CIF. It was a great run. It was a great year. It was fabulous.
We jumped into swimming and we had three transfer kids come in who elevated the team from being a very good team to a dominant team that had a legitimate shot of winning CIF and breaking some records.
Was this your most memorable year in coaching?
For sure. To walk away this year with a CIF championship and a runner-up plaque was great. We have some talented swimmers, but we are not known for our swimming. The water polo kids and the four or five kids who swam club were just dominant. It was a good blend of water polo and club swimming kids that made it happen.
For being such a small school in the CIF, how has Malibu sustained success over the years?
Malibu is a huge aquatics community. Whether it’s getting in the water for personal working out, surfing or enjoying the beach, they are very water oriented. The kids come in with a lot of confidence. Being a beach community, you want your kids to be safe. The parents do a great job of getting the kids involved in aquatics and being water safe. Once you become water safe, the comfortability and the confidence they build carries over into their aquatics sports life.
What has Malibu High School meant to you in your professional career?
It has meant the world to me. I have met so many great kids, parents and families. They are so supportive. They back their kids, they back the program and they push you as a coach to be the best you can. They want their kids to succeed and there are a lot of opportunities at the school and in the community to be the best you can in the aquatics world.
What does the future hold for Malibu aquatics?
If the kids keep coming out and they keep joining the youth programs that we have in conjunction with the City (youth water polo, youth swimming, club swimming), the sky is the limit for water polo and swimming at Malibu High. If the kids come out, they are going to succeed.