Avi Sholkoff

Staff Writer

We at The Roar would like to find out about our coaches with whom we spend so much time. Our first interview is with Coach Michael Whiting. The interview revealed Coach Whiting’s teaching experience at Milken, as well as the fact that he will be a father in December. Also, we got to find out what he dressed up as on his first Halloween at Milken… when no one else dressed up.

Milken Roar: How many years have you been coaching at Milken?

Coach Whiting: This is my 17th year at Milken. I was coach at the Lycee School for one year. I was also the Athletic Director at Westside Prep for three years. Before that, I was a coach at the University of Tulsa for one year, as well as the New Bridge School for one year. I started coaching at Pacific Hills.

MR: What sport(s) do you coach here at Milken?

CW: I coach high school varsity basketball, and middle school flag football.

MR: What is your favorite sport to play?

CW: I enjoy playing tennis.

MR: Favorite sports and teams to follow?

CW: I enjoy following college basketball and the NFL. In college basketball, I pay attention to St. Johns and Pepperdine. In the NFL, I closely follow the Rams.

MR: What is your favorite TV show?

CW: Law and Order.

MR: What is your favorite movie?

CW: “Hoosiers” and “Blue Chips.”

MR: What is your favorite food?

CW: Beef ribs.

MR: What is the funniest thing a student has said to you?

CW: A student had continually arrived late to my class. I told him if he was late one more time, I would fail him. The next day he was late. His excuse was “My mom missed the off-ramp on the way to school.” I called his mom, and sure enough she missed the off-ramp.

MR: Who are your teacher best friends?

CW: Coach Iversen [girls varsity basketball coach], Coach Bloom [anatomy teacher], Coach Deckel [P.E. teacher], Lisa Steenport (girls volleyball coach), Jason Kelly (athletic director grades K-12) and Steve Bloom [social sciences department head].

MR: Any other unique facts about yourself?

CW: I’m going to be a father in December. Also, in my first year at Milken, on Halloween, I showed up in a Darth Vader costume.