Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 12, 1990 TAG: 9006120053
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
At the same time he was being linked with the Duke coaching job that never came open, Mullins was appointed associate vice chairman for public affairs at UNCC.
Mullins, also the 49ers basketball coach, had been forced by state edict to give up his position as athletic director.
"I think this title is a message that I am still going to be involved in making athletics [at UNCC] better," said Mullins, guest lecturer Monday at the Five-Star Basketball Camp at Radford University. "I'm still going to be making phone calls and trying to raise money without having to worry about the architectural design of the baseball field.
"I've said all along that the president of the North Carolina system was right when he said there was too much involved for one person to do both jobs."
There were calls for a change in the system because of difficulties experienced by North Carolina State athletic director and basketball coach Jim Valvano, one of the people Mullins reportedly was in line to replace.
Mullins was mentioned in connection with the athletic director's job at N.C. State as well as coaching vacancies at Florida and Virginia. When it looked as if Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski might go to the Boston Celtics, Mullins, a Duke alumnus, was listed as a possible successor.
"It's not something that I'm comfortable with," said Mullins, 48. "In all conversations, I try to be as discreet as possible. I don't want to embarrass anybody else, and I think we have a vibrant program that doesn't need all this [conjecture]."
Mullins downplayed his involvement with the Virginia job, although knowledgeable sources indicate he was offered the job, turned it down, then expressed renewed interest. Talks reportedly broke down because Virginia wanted Mullins to keep then-assistant Jeff Jones, who eventually was selected to succeed Terry Holland.
Mullins did not take great pains to refute that scenario, but neither did he confirm it.
"I never considered myself a serious candidate," he said. "If there was such a thing as going to step one, we went to step one twice. It was a question-and-answer type deal. There was mutual interest initiated through a third party. My position was, `I'd like to hear a little more.'
"It's puzzling even to me that I would take myself out so early. I remember that when I'd travel through the area, that's one city [Charlottesville] where I'd try to stay an extra day."
Virginia had approached Mullins early in the search process, but, when UVa athletic director Jim Copeland said he hoped to settle on a coach by the end of the regular season, Mullins removed his name from consideration in early February.
"When I talked to Jim Copeland [after the season], I complimented him, and it was to his credit that he had zeroed in on the kind of people who would not talk during the regular season," Mullins said.
However, by the time Virginia made its second overture, Mullins already had been wooed by Florida and it was his involvement with the Gators that may have created a lukewarm response to UVa.
"I had really battled with the Florida thing in my mind," he said. "It's a traumatic process to go through, when you're thinking about moving like that. It wasn't just a matter of investigating the Florida position; I had to investigate my whole set of priorities.
"For Jeff Mullins, roots are important. I never would have thought I'd play 12 years in the NBA, and I don't think I would have if I hadn't spent 10 years in San Francisco. Maybe moving is not for Jeff Mullins."
Mullins, who had a successful automobile agency before he entered coaching, said he told prospective employers that he planned to coach only five to seven more years.
"Of course, I could change my mind about that, but I didn't want to deceive anybody," he said.
If he ever takes another position in coaching, don't expect Mullins to take part in a long courtship.
"I'm really flattered that people are interested enough to talk," he said. "There are some quality jobs out there, but if I were interested or not, I wouldn't prolong it. I can't see how that could be to anybody's benefit."
by CNB