Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Assistant Coach David Mullins Headed To Oklahoma
6/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
June 13, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern assistant women's tennis coach David Mullins has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Oklahoma, it was announced Friday. His new role with the Sooners' women's tennis program is effective immediately.
The offer from Oklahoma comes just weeks after Mullins was recognized as the ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year. Mullins' time at Northwestern alongside head coach Claire Pollard has undoubtedly helped pave the way for a bright head-coaching future of his own. In three years at Northwestern, Mullins has gone 77-12 overall, 30-0 in Big Ten competition and has been a part of three-straight Big Ten championships.
"I have been very fortunate these past three years to work for one of the finest collegiate tennis coaches in Claire Pollard. She has been a wonderful mentor and an even better friend. I am very grateful for all she has done for me," said Mullins.
"I will miss Claire, the team and the Northwestern community a great deal, however, I am very excited and humbled that the University of Oklahoma has chosen me to lead their women's tennis program."
During his stint at Northwestern, Mullins helped lead the 'Cats to three-consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including two trips to the quarterfinal round. The Wildcats' only prior appearance in the quarterfinals came in 1987. With a record of 29-2 and a final ranking of No. 2 in the country, the 2007-08 campaign was Northwestern's most successful season in program history.
Mullins began receiving national attention during the 2006-07 season after garnering the ITA Midwest Regional Assistant Coach of the Year honor. Last year the Wildcats finished as the No. 8-ranked team with a record of 24-5. They reached the NCAA round of 16.
In his first season at Northwestern in 2005, Mullins saw former Wildcats' Alexis Prousis and Cristelle Grier capture an NCAA doubles title. The team also advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament that year. Mullins began his collegiate coaching career when he joined DePaul University as an associate head coach for the 2004-05 season. After one year at DePaul, Mullins accepted the position with Northwestern for the following season.
As a collegiate player at Fresno State, Mullins advanced to the 2001 NCAA doubles championship with partner Peter Luczak as a top 8 seed. The duo earned All-American honors and finished with a No. 9 national ranking.
Professionally, Mullins was ranked as both a singles and doubles player, and was a member of Ireland's Davis Cup team from 1999-2004. He has represented Ireland in the Davis Cup against Ukraine, Hungary, Greece, Egypt and Slovenia.
