Changing of the Guard

LAKEWOOD RANCH — For the past five years, Mike Mullen has preached the importance of family and unity.

The Lakewood Ranch High baseball coach continually encouraged his players not only to trust in themselves but more importantly to trust in one another to get the job done.

So, after assuming the role of Lakewood’s new assistant principal in mid-July, Mullen contacted his coaches and players the following day, as well as some of his former players, to let them know he would be leaving the program.

“It’s been a privilege to work with him. It really has,” Assistant Coach Rob Moates said. “He’s a good coach and a better man, and he’s brought that perspective and that’s been the focus of his tenure. Sports are great, but producing good men and leaders has been our focus. He’s been a good friend and I’m really happy for him.”

The decision to walk away from the team he guided to the Class 6A state semifinals in May wasn’t an easy one to make, but as an educator the administrative opportunity was one Mullen had been seeking for some time.

Initially, Mullen was hopeful he might be able to do both, but after learning that administrators can’t serve as head coaches, Mullen ultimately accepted the administrative position.

“It was kind of one or the other,” Mullen said. “Administrators can’t be head coaches, and I knew there was a strong possibility that was going to be the case. I was prepared. I was always hopeful there would be an opportunity for me to do both, but deep down in my heart I knew it was going to be one or the other.”

After receiving his master’s degree in 2009, from Nova Southeastern University, Mullen applied for an assistant principal position at Lakewood. He made it into the top three, but Mullen was still new to the process.

Mullen, who taught economics, looked into other positions within the county, but decided to back away from the search until the perfect opportunity came along.

“I was still relatively new in the principal pool, so I knew I would need to put in time and gain experience,” Mullen said. “I backed off from the job because ultimately I didn’t just want a job. I wanted it to be the right job that fit me and fit my community. This is near where I live. This is kind of where I grew up and it’s kind of like coming home to me.”

In his new role, Mullen will handle the disciplinary side of the school — a position to which Mullen is looking forward.

“I’ve only been at it here for a few weeks and I’ve already learned a ton about the job and the ins-and-outs of the school outside the classroom,” Mullen said. “I’m used to coming in and having 125 kids and teaching them. You get a whole different perspective when you’re on the other side of the street.

I’m looking forward to the challenge of learning about operating a school from the budget side to the master schedule side, and maintaining and building a relationship with the teachers to provide the best educational atmosphere for the kids,” Mullen said. “We want to give them all of the opportunities that are available to them.”

Mullen took over the Mustangs in 2007 and guided Lakewood to three consecutive regional tournament appearances, including the Class 6A state semifinals this past May — its first state final four appearance since 2003.

“Taking nothing away from David Moates because he won a state championship and I didn’t, the thing I think I’m leaving is that family environment, unity and that sacrificial approach we took to the game,” Mullen said. “We preached on everyone doing their job. The players would be screaming ‘D-Y-J’ in the dugout and everyone knew that was what had to be done.

“That whole family environment and trusting in each other to manufacture runs — we knew if we played the game the right way we would be rewarded,” Mullen said. “I think we played the game the right way for the most part. We taught our players how to play professionally, work together as a team and take care of your job, whatever it is, and do it the best you can.”

Prior to coming to Lakewood, Mullen served as Southeast’s baseball coach from 1998 to 2000, after working as the baseball coach and athletic director at Fort Meade High in Polk County.

Mullen leaves along with 12 seniors from last year’s state semifinal team, five of which will be playing collegiately and one who is playing professionally. Lakewood Principal Linda Nesselhauf and Athletic Director Shawn Trent will conduct the search for a new head coach, but Mullen will stay out of the process.

“I’m going to miss the relationships that I developed with the players outside of the school and the classroom,” Mullen said. “The times in the locker room and at baseball practice — the camaraderie you have when you develop a relationship with mature adults. The times that were special to us. The times the coaches and players shared that nobody else really knew.

“I just want to thank every player and every parent in this community for putting up with me the first few years and sticking it out,” Mullen said. “I had a plan and we put that plan to work. I feel like it takes more than just a coach. It takes a community to build a club. It’s Lakewood Ranch Little League, Braden River Little League and Cal Ripken — without them I’ve got nothing. These programs develop good players. I just fine tune their skills and try to get them to the next level.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].