JEFF MULLIKIN STEPS DOWN AS HEAD BASEBALL COACH

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – After five successful seasons leading the Olivet Nazarene University baseball team, Jeff Mullikin announced he is stepping down as head coach. Mullikin, who recorded over 100 wins with the program, will be taking over as head coach of the varsity baseball program at Southwest Florida Christian Academy in Fort Myers, Fla.

"I am eternally grateful for the players and people of Olivet," said Mullikin. "My family has shared some of our best times and some of our toughest times while being a part of the Olivet Nazarene University. The student-athletes and people of Olivet are what made everything so special. From dogpiling at Watson and Duly Medical Field to the flights out west, I will always remember the players I coached who left an impact on myself and my family."

"To the future players of the baseball program, continue to build off of what has been laid as a foundation over 50 years ago and strive for new heights while honoring God in the process," added Mullikin. "Thank you to Gary Newsome, Mike Conway, and Justin Glenn for pouring into me as a coach and mentoring me along the way. I am a better Christian, coach, and man from my time at Olivet."

Mullikin took the reins of the ONU baseball program in 2019 and was pivotal in the team's turnaround, leading the Tigers to back-to-back Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) regular-season titles and tournament championships in 2021 and 2022. Those two squads racked up 38 wins each year and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in their respective seasons.

"We thank Jeff for all of his hard work and dedication over the last five years as head baseball coach at Olivet," said ONU Athletic Director Justin Glenn. "His teams consistently competed at a high level and represented ONU proudly. More importantly, the impact he made in the lives of the student-athletes off the diamond is what he will be remembered for most. Jeff and his family will be missed at ONU, but we wish them all the best in their next chapter."

A two-time CCAC Head Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2022, Mullikin compiled an overall record of 127-107 over his five seasons at the helm. His teams were 85-38 in conference play. Mullikin led the Tigers to a .500 record or better in CCAC play in every season except his first, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with his success on the field, Mullikin oversaw the program's success in the classroom. In 2024 alone, the ONU baseball team had 11 student-athletes land on the CCAC All-Academic honor roll and six Tigers were named NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes.

Prior to ONU, Mullikin got his coaching start as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for his alma mater MidAmerica Nazarene from 2012-2015. After a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Trinity Baptist College, Mullikin landed his first head coaching position at Toccoa Falls College in Stephens Falls, Ga., where he also served as the assistant athletic director for the Screaming Eagles from 2016-2019 before eventually coming to ONU.

Mullikin earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2008 and his Master's in Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2015.

A search for his replacement will begin immediately.

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu