McMullen reflects on coaching journey

Indians head coach Justin McMullen smiles during pregame warmups.

Photo Courtesy of Carrie Trovillion - Freelance Photographer

For 18 years the Jackson girls soccer program has been run by head coach Justin McMullen, who is coaching his final season in 2024. McMullen has led the Indians to eight district championships and a fourth-place finish at the state tournament in 2018.

McMullen’s home coaching schedule ended on Wednesday when his Indians defeated district opponent Seckman and many of those athletes, past and present, showed up to send off their coach.

Coach Mac, as he has come to be known, has coached countless athletes and impacted many lives. Although many felt the night was about McMullen, he said he was happy to win for his seniors.

“Honestly, I'm happy for my seniors to send them out on a win on their home field it means a lot,” McMullen said. “It means a lot for everyone that came out tonight. It means a lot for those past players to see a win.”

The two seniors on McMullen’s roster this season, Lauren Marchi and Olivia Klinkhardt, said playing for someone like Coach Mac for four years has been one of their favorite things about high school.

“I have no words to describe playing for Coach Mac,” Klinkhardt said. “It’s literally been the most amazing experience I’ve ever had.”

McMullen hypes up his team before kickoff.

“He’s a coach,” Marchi said. “He knows exactly what he is doing for every player and is the best coach I’ve ever had.”

As players from now and prior seasons gathered for pictures with Coach Mac one could see the emotions on the faces of everyone around. Former players with their children, current players with their families and school faculty with no connection to soccer supported their coach, mentor and friend.

“Just the relationships that you've built with with all the players. It's never been about wins and losses, it's been more about the relationships built. You look and see some of your former players with kids now and it makes you happy,” McMullen said. “Tonight was about a lot, so being able to get a victory for everyone that came out and watched that’s what it was about for me tonight.”

As McMullen’s coaching journey comes to an end, with the Indians having just one more game before the post-season begins. No matter what happens, Coach Justin McMullen said he is pleased with how the last 18 years have gone.

“You surround yourself with good people and it makes things a lot easier, it's never going to be about me. The time to be able to look back and reflect will be probably in a couple of weeks when the season's over, I’m trying to think about the next game right now, to be honest,” McMullen said. “I’m just trying to be prepared and know that I gave my best, as a coach and as a person.”