MELISSA Mullis spent four years away from the Jefferson softball dugout and transitioning away from the game she loved proved to be tough.
She coached youth softball and tried to find other ways to fill that softball void during her hiatus.
“I missed it so much that I ended up giving personal lessons to people because I just enjoy teaching, teaching softball,” said Mullis, who coached Jefferson from 2004-2006. “I was given so much instruction as a kid that I feel that I need to give back. So it was hard being away.”
Now, she has the chance to give back again everyday. Even though it’s only the dog-day, voluntary offseason practice period, Mullis is back as Jefferson’s head coach, taking over for Brad Puckett who resigned in 2010.
Mullis and company are practicing twice a week and participating in a summer league in Madison County in preparation for the fall. Jefferson will also host a team camp in July, which will allow the Dragons even more scrimmage time to gear up for the new year under their not-so-new leader.
If this second go-round under Mullis is anything like the Dragons’ first stint under her leadership, Jefferson will be just fine. Mullis compiled a sterling 70-28 record from 2004-2006, including a state runner-up finish in 2005. She stepped down after the 2006 season to spend more time with family as she was preparing to give birth to her third child and said she valued her time away. Now, with the family a little older, she’s jumped back into coaching.
“I have such great support from the parents and the community that it’s been an easy transition and the girls have been wonderful,” Mullis said. “They’ve been respectful. They’ve been excited. I’ve had a great turnout this summer, which helps in the realm of things. I feel like we’re just going to move forward without missing a beat. We’ve got a lot of room to grow, but we’ve got a lot of great skill and talent here.”
Mullis added Puckett did a great job of maintaining the program the last four years which has allowed her to jump easily into her old job. That’s not to say that there won’t be any transition at all, however. In fact, she’s using part of this summer installing her own methods.
“With that comes a period of transition, a period of developing the leadership skills that I want in these girls and developing the comraderie that I feel is important to win,” Mullis said.
It could take two-to-three years to get everything exactly the way she wants it. But this is a Jefferson team that is ready to listen and work. Participation in the voluntary summer workouts has been resounding, Mullis said, with 24 players showing up for workouts from a team coming off a 22-9-1 season.
Mullis said that’s been a blessing for a coaching getting back into the swing of things.
“It goes to show that Brad (Puckett) has done a good job of encouraging summer stuff in the last four years, so I’m thankful for what he’s done, but I’m also thankful for the sacrifice that they’re making to be out here.”
Jefferson opens the season Aug. 12 at the South Gwinnett Tournament.
