Dan Mullen is easily one of the most recognized faces on campus. But, while many people view Mullen as an intimidating, tough-skinned SEC football coach, his life away from the turf is a mystery to most.
Besides being a husband and father of two, Mullen finds time to encourage those who are in the midst of suffering.
Mullen receives many emails from parents with kids-especially those who are MSU fans-who are going through a hard time, asking him to call their children. The renowned coach said not calling would be a tragedy because it is the right thing to do if he can take their minds off the issues for even a minute.
“I find it amazing that a phone call from me can lift up someone that’s going through such tough times or a family that’s going through such down spirits. You know it would be an embarrassment not to do it,” Mullen said. “I try to tell them something funny and put a smile on their face. A lot of them are big fans, so I say, ‘I know you’re cheering for us, but we’re cheering for you, and we’ll try to get out there and win some games and put some more smiles on your face.'”
Thirteen-year-old Michael Triplett is one of many who has benefited from Mullen’s encouragement. After struggling for three years with ulcerative colitis, Michael had a surgery called a total colectomy to remove his large intestine and was overjoyed when he received a call from Mullen the night before the surgery.
Michael’s father, David Triplett, said his brother Les, who is the director for the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, contacted Mullen concerning Michael while the coach was at the SEC coaches golf tournament. After hearing the request, Mullen took time during the tournament to call Michael.
Michael said his friends did not believe him, and his brothers were jealous when he told them Mullen had called him.
“He was very encouraging and was kind of like a football coach. He got me to take my mind off things and get ready for the surgery,” Michael said. “It showed me that he is as respectable off the field as he is on the field and has a great attitude and is a great person overall.”
Michael’s mom, Belinda Triplett, said her son was grinning from ear to ear when he got off the phone with Mullen.
“It made it very personal that he called on his personal cell phone,” Belinda said. “It meant a lot to us. It made Michael take his mind off the fact that he was about to go in (to surgery), and he felt very encouraged and loved.”
After struggling with this condition for three years, Michael has almost fully recovered, and his family is very happy with his progress.
When Mullen is not on the field or making phone calls to lift up those in need, he makes a priority of spending time with his family. Mullen and his wife Megan have two children, 3-and-half-year-old Canon and 4-month-old Breelyn.
Although the family does not get too many nights together, the Mullens make sure to spend time as a family, especially during the bye week.
Megan Mullen said she thinks her husband does the best job of balancing a family and being an SEC football coach of anyone she knows.
“For as addicted to football as he is, I can honestly say I think he still loves Canon, Breelyn and me more,” she said. “When he comes home from the office, we don’t sit and talk about football. Within minutes, he’s on the floor playing tackle with the babies, getting ready for dinner with me and being a dad. He’s the coolest guy I know, and I love him to death. When he comes in the door, he’s a husband and a dad.”
When Mullen does have time off, he enjoys playing golf with his son. During the offseason, the Mullens love to go to their lake house in Georgia.
This past summer, Megan said her husband, who is really good at water skiing, achieved his goal of getting up on one ski.
“He works so hard at football when he’s in season, that when he’s away from it, he’s realized that life is too short, and he embraces everything about being a dad and a husband,” she said. “He just tries to enjoy life, and it’s special. He’s a fun, hip kind of guy who likes to chill out, do water sports, go down water slides and do crazy things.”
For the Mullen family, this week’s bye week is like a holiday. Dan Mullen has been at home more nights for dinner, and he said he is giving the coaches the day off Saturday and is having a family day with his crew.
“We will get up Saturday and just play. I’ll caddy for my son in the back yard, and then we’ll shoot some hoops and watch some football,” Mullen said. “We will do a big tur-duck Saturday night like a Thanksgiving dinner because it’s the one dinner I’m really home for in the season.”
Although Mullen maintains the image of an intense SEC football coach on the turf, when the visor comes off, it is easy to see his heart is filled with encouragement for others and love for his family.