Simi Valley Basketball Assistant Will Replace Hawking as Coach

Dean Bradshaw has been selected to replace Bob Hawking as the Simi Valley High basketball coach after serving as a Hawking assistant for seven years.

Hawking resigned last week to pursue a job at the college level, ending a 14-year career as the winningest coach in school history with a 230-119 record.

Bradshaw has worked as the Simi Valley junior varsity coach the past six seasons, winning four consecutive Marmonte League titles and five of the past six. His six-year record is 108-24, including a 61-11 mark in league games.

Bradshaw coached the Simi Valley sophomore team one season and the Thousand Oaks JVs for four. His coaching record at the lower levels (172-64) convinced Principal Dave Ellis of his abilities.

“Because he’s a good tactician and a motivator, I’ve seen him win a lot of games in the closing minutes that he probably shouldn’t have won,� Ellis said. “He knows how and when to pay a compliment and is not afraid to do it, which is a good quality to have when dealing with young people.�

Bradshaw also won the endorsement of Hawking, who led the Pioneers to three consecutive league titles and four of the past five. In All-American center Don MacLean’s three seasons with the team, Simi Valley won 81 of 90 games, including last season’s Southern Section 4-A basketball championship, the school’s first.

“He is knowledgeable about basketball, can relate well with people and he’s certainly paid his dues,� Hawking said.

Bradshaw has been serving as the team’s interim coach the past three weeks, preparing Simi Valley for a tournament in Las Vegas from June 17 to 19.