Former Oxnard College men's basketball coach Ron McClurkin was hired last month as the new men's basketball coach at West Los Angeles College.

"I decided that I wanted to get back into coaching and there's a lot of potential there," said McClurkin of the school. "It's a really good situation, right in the middle of L.A. I just have to get some recruiting done."

McClurkin, who will still teach full time at Oxnard, was reassigned in 2007 after 14 years as the coach at the Condor Center.

"It's a real good opportunity," said McClurkin. "If you want to get back in, sometimes you don't get back into a good spot. But I think this is a real good spot."

The location is good for several reasons, McClurkin said. His local recruits will be able to sleep in their own beds at night. Plus, the school's location in Culver City will allow McClurkin to virtually coach the team on his ride from Oxnard College to his home in Gardena.

"I timed it the other day," said McClurkin. "It's 17 minutes from my driveway to the parking lot (at West L.A.). Not bad during morning traffic."