Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the 2026 Tribute to Champions program.
On Nov. 22, 2025, Jill Fox-Mullen and her Emerald Ridge High volleyball team left Yakima’s SunDome with their latest state tournament trophy in hand. A season of accomplishments told another success story: Undefeated in the SPSL, league champs, Coach of the Year honors for Fox-Mullen and co-head coach Bobby McGivern, third place at districts and seventh place at state.
But this, like each of her 20 years of coaching, is just the quantifiable part of Fox-Mullen’s success. There’s also something deeper. Something more important, harder to measure and a reason it is especially meaningful for her to receive the 2026 Frosty Westering Excellence in Coaching Award.
“This award represents far more than wins and championships,” Fox-Mullen said. “It reflects Coach Frosty’s legacy of integrity, character, leadership, and putting people first. To be connected to those values is deeply humbling and I am truly honored to receive this award.”
Those values have long been reflected in Fox-Mullen’s approach to coaching just as they were for the legendary PLU coach who stressed “service above self.” Her connection to that legacy is also personal, having coached Westering’s granddaughter, Heather Johnson, during her time at Rogers High School (1996-99).
In 16 years at Emerald Ridge, Fox-Mullen is 283–143. Her teams captured five league championships, advanced to the state tournament seven times and she was named SPSL Coach of the Year three times. In 2015 and ’18 she was picked to coach the Washington State Coaches Association All-State Game. ERHS went undefeated in league play in 2013, ’14 and ’25. The Jaguars finished in the top three at districts seven times and placed at state six times. ERHS was third at state in 2013 and ’17 and finished second in ’14 and ’15.
“Coaching is so much more than X’s and O’s and Coach Jill Fox-Mullen understands that better than most,” said Jesse Kase, the ERHS athletic director. “She is passionate about the sport and takes coaching seriously as evidenced by her program-wide success over the years. The legacy she has built will undoubtedly be a foundation for programs for years to come.
“She knows the game of volleyball inside and out, but her expertise in the ‘extra work’ and administrative duties – communication, planning, preparation, fundraising, management, etc. are what set her apart in a region full of high-quality coaches. We have been extremely fortunate to have Coach Fox-Mullen behind the Emerald Ridge volleyball program for the better part of the past two decades.”
Fox-Mullen graduated from Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Ore., in 1987. She was a star outside hitter and setter for the Kingsmen, lettering three years and earning all-state
and team MVP honors her senior year. She also played club volleyball and qualified for districts in golf.
She arrived in the South Sound area in 1987 where she made an immediate impact at the University of Puget Sound. Fox-Mullen started at outside hitter for four seasons with the Loggers and was the team captain her final two seasons. UPS qualified for the national tournament her freshman season. As a senior, she earned all-district, all-region and all-America honors.
Fox-Mullen started coaching in 1991, serving stints as the JV coach at her alma mater in Oregon, before starting her long career in the Puyallup School District. She coached Kalles Junior High (1992-95) before taking over at Rogers High. She later coached a season at Ferrucci Junior High (2009).
In four seasons at Rogers, Fox-Mullen went 57-51, led the Rams to the state tournament (1997) and won the 1998 WIAA Team Academic State Championship with a 3.870 team GPA.
Fox-Mullen coached Puyallup’s RAGE Volleyball Youth Program, 2004-2010, and Puget Sound Volleyball Academy’s club team, 2017-2024.
“The greatest reward from coaching over the years has been the relationships built – with the coaching staffs I’ve had the privilege to work alongside, as well as the players, their families, managers, athletic directors, and administrators,” she said. “Each of you has made this journey special in your own way.”
