Tim Mulligan retired from teaching after 37 years. After starting at Redwood Middle School, where he served as both teacher and coach, most of his teaching career was spent coaching Napa High teams in various capacities. He was the assistant coach for the track team under four different coaches. Mulligan took over the Indians wrestling program in 1976 and during his eight years as head coach, he brought two league championships to Napa High. Simultaneously, Mulligan was head coach of the junior varsity football program for three seasons before joining the varsity as the defensive line coach, where he worked with four different coaches over the years.
“Tim was a great motivator to his players. He always talked to his players about what it took to be a Napa High Indian and instilled in them the importance of having pride and respect for Napa High,” fellow coach and NHS HOF member Mike Brown said.
During Mulligan’s football tenure, he helped to guide the Indians to 11 league championships in football, as well as two section championship games.
“As a coach and friend, he spent many hours molding young athletes into positive members of society,” said Thomas Sly, a HOF member coached by Mulligan. “Coach Mulligan never let a teaching moment go wasted. The conversations had during those years inspired me to try my hardest, never give up and to focus on the challenges at hand.”
With many years of coaching wrestling, track and football during his teaching years at Napa High, Mulligan has made an impact on a multitude of students and athletes alike.
He is currently teaching at Napa Valley College and he and his wife, Meredith, live in Circle Oaks.