FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- When Packy and Luke Mullin finally arrived at Notre Dame officially, each knew he was stepping into a strong wrestling tradition.
Yet each carried expectations for greatness even before he stepped through the front door.
"I thought it was cool being a Notre Dame wrestler," said Packy, who like brother Luke was a 2014 state champion. "I grew up going to matches and watching guys like Spike Rawn, the Jabaleys, Ian Meredith."
Luke Mullin of Notre Dame High School attempts to turn Josh Williams of East Ridge in a 126-pound bout in this Jan. 22, 2015, file photo.Their last name has been synonymous with Irish wrestling for more than three decades -- first with John Mullin, their uncle and also their coach, and with uncle David, cousin Grayson and father Chris, perhaps the most recognized after two undefeated seasons and two times a state tournament "outstanding wrestler."
John wrestled with and then coached David as a volunteer assistant. He then was hired as what he calls "a real assistant" in time to coach Chris with then head coach David Held.
John got to state tournaments, and David was the first Mullin to place in a state, finishing third. Then came Chris and then Grayson, who added a title to the family's growing list.
Now, Packy, a junior, and Luke, a sophomore, each has one of his own.
The referee holds up Notre Dame wrestler Packy Mullin's arm after winning against Landon Goforth in this 2014, file photo."Being a Mullin and being a wrestler comes with a lot of pressure. There is an expectation to succeed," Packy said.
"I didn't know what it meant till I got a little older," Luke said. "But I know now that Dad won his championship match as a junior by 13 points and his senior year by 10."
Mullin gave those OW trophies to his parents, and they're still displayed on the mantel over the den fireplace.
For years the brothers have been asked if they're related to Chris and then asked if they know he was twice named the state's outstanding wrestler.
"More times than I can remember," Packy said, "but he doesn't talk about it too much.
"There were times when I was little I said I didn't know if I liked wrestling, and he'd say that was part of being a Mullin. He used (wrestling) teaching us how to grow up and how to handle highs and lows. Wrestling was part of the way he raised us."
Packy broke the ice for the brothers, perhaps making an easier path for Luke.
"I was never intimidated by it," Luke said of carrying the Mullin name. "It gave me a sense of who I was. People knew who I was before I got out (on the mat), and I've always been a showman. The name got me started, and I've always enjoyed showing how good I was and how good I wanted to be. Having my dad and uncles around really helps."
But it still comes back to tradition, and it is a tradition that actually started with Chris and David.
"They started wrestling in kids' tournaments. I was more into playing football, but then (at St. Jude) wrestling was the cool thing to do, so I started," said John, who as a coach has produced three state duals champions, a state duals runner-up and teams that have participated in 12 of the 20 small-school A/AA tournaments.
It is part of the Mullin family's claim to fame.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.