NORFOLK, Va. — The basketball community in Hampton Roads still feeling the sting of the passing of Ocean Lakes High School basketball coach and former ODU great Mario Mullen at age 50. A pair of his former teammates in first year Monarchs head coach Mike Jones and special assistant Odell Hodge spoke for the first time since his death last Friday from a reported brief illness.
Mullen, who helped lead the Bayside High Marlins to back to back state titles in 1990 and 1991, also teamed up with Jones and Hodge as Old Dominion knocked off 3rd seeded Villanova in double overtime of the 1995 NCAA Tournament.
Jones and Hodge say they still hurt for their teammate.
"I can only imagine what Mama Mullen, Angie his wife and what the kids are feeling", he said. "For as many tears I've shed, I can't imagine what they've gone through".
For Hodge, "Shook me to my core", he said. "Guys that played with us played with Mario especially after we had a chance to see him last week. He was in great spirits. Energy level was great. The vibe was good. And to get the news three days later shook us."
Jones and Hodge say they will miss Mullen's humor and selflessness on and off the court.
"We lost a treasure man", said Jones. "We lost somebody who would have had a huge impact on the game given the time to do it."
Hodge added, "He'd give his shirt off his back to anyone. To see him give back to the community. Give back to the game of basketball that we all love. We're trying to be strong for each other and the Monarch nation has been great."
Jones said he and ODU administration are in the early stages of honoring Mullen, but emphasized things won't move forward without the Mullen family's permission.