New era begins as Steve Scoggin replaces John Halagan as Woodbridge basketball coach

Steve Scoggin has been an assistant coach at Woodbridge for 11 seasons. (Photo courtesy Woodbridge athletics)

A new era for Woodbridge High School boys basketball begins this week as Steve Scoggin takes over for long-time coach John Halagan, who retired as head coach after last season.

Halagan stepped down after 28 years and is still teaching at the school.

Scoggin, 39, has been an assistant coach under Halagan for 11 years after being an assisant coach at Mater Dei for two years. He played at Mater Dei for four years and was Orange County player of the year in 1998 at Mater Dei before signing to play for UNLV.

“I first of all want to keep the tradition going that John and Bill (former coach Shannon) have started and kept going throughout these years,” Scoggin said Tuesday.

“Woodbridge has a great history and has had great players come through here. I have big shoes to fill.  I have learned a lot from the coaches that I have played for and coached with. I have played for some of the greatest coaches in the country (Gary McKnight at Mater Dei, Coach Willie West (former Crenshaw coach) at the USA trials) and learning the art of coaching from some of the best from all the coaches at Mater Dei (Gary and Jason Quinn) to John Halagan at Woodbridge.

“I also wouldn’t be here without my father Steve Scoggin (coach for many years at Glendora and Uni).  I have taken a little of every coach.”

Halagan, the former coach, said he is looking forward to seeing what Scoggin will do.

“It’s hard to believe that 28 years as a head coach can go so fast,” he said. “I was blessed to work with supportive administrators and parents as well as dedicated athletes during my tenure. I was also prepared to take over the program by my mentor Bill Shannon who was as good as it gets.

“Steve Scoggin has been an outstanding assistant for the program over the years and I am thrilled and confident that he will take the Warriors to new heights moving forward. Steve has already assembled a great staff and with his knowledge and ability to motivate our athletes the future for the program certainly looks bright. I look forward to supporting coach Scoggin and the next generation of Woodbridge basketball.”

Scoggin is preparing his team for the start of Pacific Coast League play this week. Woodbridge opens with games against Northwood on Tuesday, April 6 and Friday against Irvine. Both games are at Woodbridge.

Scoggin said the Warriors are expecting big seasons from 6-7 junior Nygle Williams, senior guard Eli Hill and junior guards Marty Jaisel and Josh Lomboy.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com