Friday, Nov. 07, 2008

Is This Mullins’ Last Game?

The Lonnquist Notes

You have to wonder what is going through Gary Mullins’ mind today. This is the last football game of the season.

And it might be the last game of his coaching career.

At 59, there are whispers that this is the final hurrah for the longtime Grapevine mentor. The winless Mustangs finish the season with traditional rival Colleyville Heritage at Mustang-Panther Stadium.

I have heard from several sources that this is it for Mullins. An official announcement could come later.

Several attempts to reach him at his office were unsuccessful. District athletic director Tim Ford wasn’t so sure about Mullins’ departure.

"He hasn’t said anything to me," Ford said. "We really haven’t talked about it. If it were me, I would want him to stay forever."

Obviously, this is not the way Mullins wanted his possibly last season to go. However, watching the Mustangs earlier in the season, you could tell this was going to be a struggle, and the potential for a winless season was realistic.

There were problems with the offense because of an inexperienced quarterback situation and no running game. The offensive and defensive lines were capable, but nothing exceptional.

The season spiraled into total frustration. From the opener against Marcus through last week against Keller Central, the Mustangs just have not been very competitive.

They haven’t scored more than 14 points in a game, and have scored 61 for the year. The fewest points they have surrendered is 35 to Hurst L.D. Bell and 396 overall. They come into tonight’s game against Colleyville Heritage scoreless in their last eight quarters.

In short, it’s been a nightmare.

Few coaches get the storybook finish they want. The ideal way is to go out with a state championship and with tears of joy being shared with friends and family for a career well done.

Mullins won’t have that happen. And yet, there should be no regrets for what he has done. He started as a college assistant in 1974 at his alma mater at the University of Houston. Mullins had a couple of more college stints before transitioning to the high school ranks in 1986.

The San Angelo native came to the Grapevine-Colleyville School District in 1992. He started as an assistant under then-coach Mike Sneed. Mullins became the program’s offensive architect.

A former quarterback at Houston, Mullins’ wisdom was revealed in 1993 when he came to Grapevine and guided a smallish quarterback in Sam Johnson to great feats. Johnson eventually guided the Mustangs to their first playoff appearance as a Class 5A school that season.

When the program went down to 4A, it became a monster. The 1996 and 1998 teams won state championships with prolific offenses.

Mullins kept the program going in a strong direction with five playoff appearances since his first season in 2000. That also included three district championships.

He also had a chance to coach Logan Mullins. There may be no better feeling for a coach than to work with his son. Logan enjoyed a solid career and is now playing at Stephen F. Austin.

When the final seconds tick off tonight, Mullins will address his team on the field, thank them for what they could do through this trying season and quietly walk over to the fieldhouse.

High emotions have never been a part of his makeup, but you can be sure that Mullins will consider all that has happened. The eyes may mist. The lump in the throat could appear.

But he’ll just smile that usual half-smile and know that no matter what he does, he got everything out of his career that he put into it.