New setting, same approach for McNulty

Erik Boal

ST. FRANCIS HIGH -- Dennis McNulty’s philosophy when it comes to

cross-country is simple: If you want to be good, then you will end up

good. But if you want to be mediocre, then you will be just that.

And for the past five years, McNulty, co-coach Tony Haynes and the

boys’ and girls’ teams at La Canada High were anything but mediocre.

But with a new cross-country season also comes a change of scenery for

the 52-year-old, who has tucked away his cardinal and gold Spartan gear

and welcomed the brown and gold apparel of La Canada’s neighbor to the

north, St. Francis.

McNulty took over the Golden Knight program at the beginning of the

summer, replacing long-time coach Peter Brang, and in doing so, accepted

a full-time job at St. Francis as a health and physical education

teacher.

But outside of the attraction of being offered a teaching position,

why would McNulty -- who helped guide the Spartan girls’ team to

back-to-back CIF Division III State championships in 1997 and 1998 and

the boys’ team to Rio Hondo League titles both of those years -- want to

leave La Canada?

Simple, because he loves to challenge himself and the runners he

coaches.

“The opportunity to coach a group of boys at a place where you have a

legitimate shot to be successful is very exciting,” McNulty said. “If you

can’t win at an all-boys Catholic school, then you need to seek another

line of work.”

But McNulty’s decision to pass on a potential State-title season with

the Spartan girls and league-title effort with the La Canada boys in

favor of coaching at St. Francis is not a case of the rich getting

richer.

He knows that his work is cut out for him.

The Golden Knights have only three seniors -- Roman Marenin, Ryan Shaw

and Roy Walker -- left from last year’s squad that placed ninth at the

CIF Southern Section Division IV finals and only five runners solidified

on their varsity roster for Thursday’s season-opening All-City Meet at

the Rose Bowl.

“I was brought here to make a change to this program,” McNulty said.

“I can eat this year and I can tolerate being ordinary for now, but this

is not a four- or five-year-plan. We’re on a two-year plan here and these

kids need to understand that they have to earn their spot.”

And as if things weren’t moving fast enough for McNulty over the past

two weeks, trying to field competitive varsity and junior varsity teams

for the fifth annual All-City event, but his first showing as St.

Francis’ coach will be against none other than La Canada, among others.

“It’s a strange feeling when you struggle to identify a brand-new St.

Francis kid, but you know every La Canada kid by name,” McNulty said.

“Indirectly, I still have a vested interest in La Canada’s success. The

parents treated me great while I was there and the girls are extremely

loyal and I wish nothing but the best for Tony and them.”

Although the Spartan girls appear to be a lock to capture another

All-City Meet title, McNulty’s squad will be part of a three-team

dogfight with defending Division V State champion Flintridge Prep and La

Canada, under the guidance of first-year coach Shannon Goods.

“Some proof of what we’re capable of doing will come with Thursday’s

results,” McNulty said. “You can’t go the whole year on motivational

speeches. Sometimes you have to kick butt and throw darts, but if you can

sell these kids on being motivated, the rest will take care of itself.”

Based on the early returns from workouts, Shaw agrees.

“He doesn’t take any slack and he makes you realize that you have to

work,” said the four-year varsity team member. “Since (Roman, Roy and I)

are the only returnees, it’s good for us to be put in a position of

leadership. In order for us to be successful, we will have to put out a

lot more effort and hopefully that will show up in the races.”

So when McNulty introduces his varsity team at Thursday’s all-school

assembly, he could easily earn the respect of those in attendance on his

coaching resume alone: Five league titles, a CIF title and two State

titles with the La Canada girls; two league titles and a top 10 finish in

the State with the Spartan boys.

But when he addresses the student body and the administration, McNulty

won’t rely on the past. He will instead choose to emphasize the present

and a promising future.

And his words, like his philosophy on cross country, will be short and

to the point.

Because no one, especially McNulty, wants to settle for being

mediocre.