Jim Mullins completed his 11th season as the Bombers’ head coach in 2007-08. The Bombers finished 17-9 and won the Empire 8 regular-season title for the first time since 2002. Ithaca's 17 wins were the most for the program since 1999-2000. Mullins was named Empire 8 Coach of the Year for his efforts.
With a win over Rensselaer in the 2007 ECAC Playoffs, Mullins moved past Ithaca College Hall of Fame members Isadore "Doe" Yavits into second place on Ithaca's career wins list with 139.
Mullins recorded his 100th career win during the 2004-05 season and led the team to Empire 8 Championship Tournament for the second year in a row. In 2001-02 Ithaca won the Empire 8 title and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 1992-93 season, with Mullins earning Empire 8 Coach of the Year honors.
In 1999-2000 he guided the Bombers to their first ECAC Upstate New York championship. Ithaca finished 18-10 overall and 8-6 in the Empire 8. In his first season Mullins guided Ithaca to a 13-7 start and the number-four ranking in the region. The Bombers finished 14-12 and earned a spot in the ECAC playoffs.
Mullins has been a part of successful programs in a number of sports. He began his coaching career as an undergraduate at the University of Connecticut, working as a student assistant for the women’s basketball program. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Connecticut, Mullins came to Ithaca, where he earned his master’s degree and served as a graduate assistant coach in basketball and baseball.
He also worked at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for a season as assistant basketball coach. In 1982 he began a five-year stint as head men’s basketball coach at the University of Connecticut (Avery Point). Mullins led his team to five consecutive Connecticut Small College Conference playoff finals and a league record of 60-20. At the same time, he was an assistant baseball coach at the school, helping lead the team to six straight conference championships and a 71-1 overall record.
During that period Mullins also coached the Waterford Mariners women’s softball team. The Mariners won two Atlantic Coast League titles and one New England crown, and earned a 12th-place national ranking. The Mariners were 125-61 under Mullins. Mullins moved on to Plattsburgh in 1987 as an assistant men’s basketball coach on the staff of Ithaca graduate Larry Cowan ‘81.
After five years with the Cardinals, Mullins returned to Ithaca as an assistant coach in basketball and baseball. He played a large role in Ithaca’s success during his tenure as an assistant coach. In his five seasons the Bombers posted an 86-46 record and earned one NCAA playoff and three ECAC postseason invitations. Ithaca put together back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in 1992-93 and 1993-94, his first two seasons on the varsity staff. He also spent three years as an assistant softball coach (1996-97, 2002), helping the Bombers to three NCAA playoff appearances, including two trips to the College World Series and the 2002 NCAA title.
