Trakh Changes His Mind Again, Will Coach Women at Pepperdine

Brea-Olinda High girls’ basketball Coach Mark Trakh, who accepted and then rejected an offer to become the women’s coach at Pepperdine, has changed his mind again.

Pepperdine said Wednesday that Trakh had accepted the job. The announcement came one day after he talked with his three-time defending State Division II girls’ basketball championship team and ended a week in which Trakh was deluged with advice. Almost unanimously, the advice was to move on.

“My players and ex-players convinced me that (Pepperdine) was the place to be,” Trakh said. “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.”

When Trakh accepted the position the first time, he informed his team of his decision on the afternoon of June 18, then had a change of heart. That night, he called Wayne Wright, Pepperdine athletic director, to decline the offer.

The university continued its search--and conducted more interviews--until Trakh reconsidered.

Brea was 356-42 in 13 seasons under Trakh.

Trakh said he considered that he might never get another chance to coach a college program after turning down Pepperdine.