Bio

Bill Mulligan began his community college basketball coaching career at Riverside (City) College in 1966, replacing Jerry Tarkanian. In his first year at RCC, Mulligan led the Tigers to the state quarterfinals. Over a nine year career at Riverside, Mulligan compiled a 189-97 record, capturing a conference title in each of his last five years. 
In 1975, Mulligan tackled a new challenge and accepted the head coaching position at Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA). In his first year, despite practicing and playing at a local high school, Mulligan led the Gauchos to a 22-8 record. In Mulligan's second year, Saddleback built a new gym. His teams lost only one home game over the next four seasons, capturing four conference titles. In 1979, Mulligan's Gauchos lost in overtime of the state championship game to Orange Coast College. The team responded the following season with a 34-1 record and a state semi-final appearance.

In 1980, Mulligan made the leap to Division I, taking the reins at UC Irvine. In his first two seasons at UCI, the Anteater's went 40-17. His 1980-81 team led the nation in scoring with an 86.4 points/game average and his 1981-82 squad topped the nation in field goal percentage (.561). In 1986, Mulligan was named Coach of the Year in what is now the Big West Conference and was named Orange County "Sportsman of the Year" in 1982. In 1991, Mulligan was inducted into the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and he was inducted into UC Irvine's Hall of Fame in 1998. 

Coach Mulligan was coaxed out of retirement in 1992 to lead a brand new program at Irvine Valley College. In each of his three years at IVC, the Lasers qualified for the postseason, including a 22-12 record in Mulligan's final season. 

Beyond Mulligan's accomplishments on the hardwood lies the true impact of this coaching legend. He is perhaps most well-respected for the way he treated his staff, co-workers and especially his players, even years after they had left his program. In any discussion of Mulligan, the words, commitment, passion and honesty are unavoidable. The COA is proud to announce Bill Mulligan as a 2005 inductee of the COA Hall of Fame.