Former El Camino College Coach Inducted into Statewide Hall of Fame

**Courtesy of ECC Public Information**

The late Paul Landreaux was recently inducted into the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) Hall of Fame, an award that recognizes his distinguished career as a basketball coach, including nearly three decades with the Warriors. The former El Camino College coach was honored for the significant impact he made on community college basketball and its student-athletes.

Landreaux spent 28 years at El Camino College over two periods, leading the Warriors to three state championships, while compiling a 290-48 record. During his first season as head coach, ECC went 11-1 in conference, capturing the Metro Conference Title – the first of many. The following season, 1980-81, Landreaux's team finished in second place, but managed to win the college's first-ever state championship. His teams in 1985 and 1988 also won state championships. The titles came during a period of transition for the game with the introduction of the shot clock and the addition of the three-point line.

"Coach Paul Landreaux's commitment to student achievement, both on and off the court, shows a dedication to academics and the discipline needed to be a champion," said El Camino College President Dena P. Maloney. "His legacy can be seen in the numerous student-athletes who achieved success after being a part of his team."

Landreaux, who also coached at Los Angeles Trade Technical College early in his career, won nearly 300 games in his first 10 years as a head coach at the community college level. He developed four California Community Colleges state players of the year, Jackie Fleury (1981), Ontario Johnson (1984), Mark Wade (1985), and Charles White (1988). He also coached 10 Metro Conference and South Coast Conference players of the year.

Academic success was also a priority to Landreaux, who stressed the importance of having a solid education. "You are a student first and an athlete second," he would tell players, many of whom earned full scholarships and went on to graduate from four-year institutions.

After winning the coveted William Russell Award, state coach of the year award three times and being selected the conference coach of the year six times, Landreaux accepted an assistant position at UCLA. After one year, Landreaux secured the head coaching position at St. Mary's College where he coached for two years. Previous coaching experience included positions at Compton College, his alma mater, in addition to Los Angeles Southwest College, Pepperdine University, and Morningside High School. He returned to ECC in the early '90s, where he taught and coached until his retirement.

After attending Compton College, Landreaux transferred to California State University, Los Angeles and earned a bachelor's degree. He continued his education at Pepperdine University, earning a master's degree in urban education.

Landreaux retired from coaching in 2004 and in 2007, he retired from his teaching position. On August 22, 2016, Landreaux passed away.