It is often said that the impact one has on others cannot be quantified; former teacher and head basketball coach Mario Mullen is a testament to that.
Commonly referred to as a “Gentle Giant,” Mullen stood 6 and a half feet tall with a heart of gold.
“Despite his great size, strength and influence, Mario was gentle, kind and loving. He was a devoted family man and a good friend,” Principal Claire LeBlanc said.
Born on Aug. 9, 1973, he passed away at the age of 50 on July 5, 2024, following a stroke.
He was a Bayside High School graduate, and during his years at Bayside, he led his basketball team to winning back-to-back state titles in 1990 and 1991. He was also awarded the AAA Player of the Year in 1991. He continued his pursuit of basketball at Old Dominion University (ODU), where he contributed as a member of the CAA Championship team and led the team to a March Madness win over Villanova.
After college, he devoted his life to being a mentor for young children and an inspiration for those around him. Mullen joined the Dolphin family in 2020 as a special education teacher and the boys varsity basketball coach.
“One great thing about having him as a coach was his dedication to building a community with his guys,” senior Christian Carrasco said. “He worked hard to transform the OL basketball culture into something greater.”
JV basketball coach Steven Pniewski agrees that Mullen was the “architect” behind the team’s journey to a comeback.
“It is very, very sad, unfair and humbling that he will not be here to see the fruits of his work because his program was just beginning to turn around into something special,” Pniewski said.
Although Mullen was greatly known for his dedication to basketball, he was more widely known for his character.
“Coach Mullen was an imposing figure, mainly because of his height and his confidence, but his greatest characteristic was his compassion and love for his own kids, players and special ED students,” Pneiwski said. “He was constantly on the phone with friends and family, always staying connected and talking about his kids, his players and his students.”
Mullen was a brother, father, son, husband, teacher, coach, teammate, mentor and an inspiration for many.
Alumnus Khaliq Wiliams knew him for several years and credits Mullen for teaching him how to be a true leader on and off the court.
“For the people who never met coach Mullen, you would have loved being around someone like him,” Williams said. “For the people that did meet him, be grateful God put someone as genuine as him in your life.”
The widespread appreciation for Mullen lingers in the halls of Ocean Lakes and beyond.
“While he was my coach, he honestly felt like more of a friend, both on and off the court,” 2024 Ocean Lakes graduate James Cummings said. “He always had my back and supported me no matter what I did, just like a friend would.”
Along with his compassionate heart, he will be remembered for his infectious humor and energy.
“Coach Mullen was both a coach that I respected and trusted, but also a friend,” Christian said. “During team bonding, most memorably the IHOP breakfast, he would crack jokes and match the energy of the team.”
For Cummings, his favorite moment with Mullen was during his last practice of high school basketball. Somebody messed up in a drill, and in a joking frustration, Mullen threw a ball from one side of the gym to the other, making an accidental trick shot into the far hoop.
“It was insane, and everyone had to try their best to not go crazy. We laughed about it afterward,” Cummings said.
Mullen was the father of a daughter and two sons. His sons, Tyler and Chase Mullen, both followed in their father’s footsteps. Tyler Mullen played basketball and graduated from Ocean Lakes in 2021, similar to Chase, who has been on the team since his junior year, and continues to play in honor of his father’s legacy.
“His legacy is being left to his son Chase who is a senior now,” Williams said. “I wish I had one more year, I swear I would have done it for him.”
Mullen’s impact remains deeply engraved in the community and the memories of individuals he’s shared hugs, laughs, tears and smiles with along the way.
This story was originally published on The Current on October 4, 2024.
