It wasn’t the winning that kept Tim Mulligan in the game, it was the relationships he built with players and coaches that kept the Napa High football coach on the gridiron for so many years.

But after close to three full decades with the Indians, Mulligan is throwing up his cleats and stepping down as defensive coordinator.

“The kids,” Mulligan said bluntly about why he loves coaching. “It’s all been about the kids. They’re great, they’re so kind to let me come into their lives. It’s been fun working with the young men on the team. I’m very humbled they’d let me do that and come into their lives.”

The 61-year old science teacher is also retiring from teaching at Napa High at the school year’s end, though he plans to continue teaching part-time at Napa Valley College. He’s taught at Napa for 31 years and before that was a teacher at Redwood Junior High, where he also coached football.

“It’s sure been a wonderful run,” Mulligan said. “It’s with a heavy heart. I did a lot of thinking. It wasn’t easy, but I think it’s time.”

When Napa head coach Troy Mott took over for Jerry Dunlap in February 2006, he knew Mulligan was on a year-to-year basis and he is thankful Mulligan stuck around in 2006 for one last playoff run.

Mulligan is throwing the idea around of continuing to coach in a lesser capacity, though he doesn’t plan on making a final decision until closer to summer workouts.

“We’re hoping he sticks around,” Mott said. “As far as being an assistant, we’re going to move on as if he’s not returning. If he comes back, it’s just icing on the cake.

“It’s hard to find coordinators. You don’t pluck them off a tree and they’re all of a sudden successful. He’s going to be very tough to replace. More than just the football part of it, he was just a pleasure to be around every single day at practice.”

Dunlap added, “I don’t think you can fill his shoes. That’s not to say the next person won’t do a good job. Just his personality and his demeanor and the relationships he has with the kids and the people around him will be incredibly hard to duplicate and it shouldn’t be duplicated. There won’t be anyone like him.”

Mulligan will take more than just the friendships he’s acquired with him, but also a sense of accomplishment. In his 28 years as the Indians’ defensive coordinator, Mulligan helped coach Napa to 11 league titles and second-place finishes in the 1981 and 1994 section title games. He’s coached kids who went on to play at Division I universities such as Ed Blanton at UCLA and Mike Gibson at Cal.

When he runs into former players, he enjoys talking football and reminiscing of the good times with the team. He relishes seeing former players, whether it’s when they visit him in the classroom or come say hi on the sidelines.

“Much of that I’ll take with me for the rest of my days,” Mulligan said. “They have great stories. You get the feeling of family. It’s different than a lot of teams. We believe that and preach it.”

Mulligan assisted under four head coaches since 1979: Les Franco, Bob Herlocker, Dunlap and Mott. Franco was the first to hire Mulligan at the coordinator position and to this day still holds the utmost respect for the man.

“He was an exceptional coach,” Franco said. “One of the best I’ve had. Great motivator. I never worried about the defensive side of the ball when he was running things. I have a lot of respect for Tim and what he did for Napa High. He was a very dependable coach and worked hard. The kids loved him. Definitely one of my most trusted coaches on my staff.”

Mott and Herlocker have appreciated Mulligan’s knowledge of the game along with his words of wisdom. The team has coined the term “Mulli-isms” for the sayings the veteran coach preaches at practices and games.

“He’s just one of those guys, when he opens his mouth, everyone stops and listens,” Herlocker said. “They’re literally afraid they’re going to miss something. Not just what he’s trying to teach them, but he brings a little bit of humor with it. He’s got a good way of expressing his ideas.”

Some of those “Mulli-isms” had to do with the great tradition that Napa High football has established, which is something Mulligan cherishes. In more than 100 years as a program, many kids on the team have brothers, dads, uncles, grandfathers and great-grandfathers who’ve suited up for the Indians.

“I just realized that when I came to Napa, there was tremendous tradition there,” Mulligan said. “Napa High just has a wonderful tradition. I’m kind of old-fashioned and I love that. For the most part, Napa still has a small-town feel when it comes to football. It goes back 100-plus years. When you meet people who were a part of it, this year and that year, it’s like ‘Whoa, these people all love Napa.’”

Mulligan’s sense of honor and tradition is a large reason why Mott is going to miss him so much and admits the coach’s shoes will be big ones to fill. It’s also part of why Dunlap stayed at the top spot for nine years.

“He was the voice of reason to the team,” Mott said. “Very experienced coach, not just a coach for many, many years but a coach at Napa for many years. He’s the first to point out the great tradition at Napa High and feels it’s important that the kids understand that. Those are things he really stressed and brought to the table. He brought a tremendous amount of football knowledge.”

Dunlap added, “He has a unique way — the kids are just drawn to him. He can be very emotional. He can make everyone laugh but at the same time he can get the best out of you like I’ve never seen anyone else do. He has this presence about him. Players and coaches have followed him in whatever he says. He made it more fun to be out there. Those days can get long and the weekends can get long and he’s one to always have a positive outlook on things and make you laugh.”

According to Dunlap, Mulligan is a staple of what Napa football is about. His influence on the players along with the coaches has done so much for the program. His legacy will live on despite his absence.

Also a veteran coach, Herlocker admired the open-mindedness Mulligan brought to the field.

“Tim is one of those old dinosaurs you hate to see leave, which is too bad for us,” Herlocker said. “He’s full of knowledge and experience. He brings some old ideas and at the same time he brings in fresh things, too. He’s always open for change. A lot of us old guys, we dig our heels in the ground and don’t want to change, but Tim was always open to it.”

With retirement comes more free time and Mulligan already has some ideas as to what he plans on doing with those extra hours. He hopes to travel a little with his wife Meredi and spend more time with his three children, Casey, Kelli and Katy, along with his four grandchildren.

He feels fortunate that both his parents are still around and wants to slow down a bit before things start to sneak by him. His health is good and he wants to keep it that way.

“I’ve been very blessed with my career,” Mulligan said. “The kids have been so special. They hold a special place in my heart. I’d do anything for them. I’ve so truly enjoyed it.”