Redbirds to start search for new men’s basketball coach
NORMAL — The Illinois State University Redbirds will soon be searching for a new head coach for its men’s basketball team.
In a news release Sunday from Athletic Director Kyle Brennan, it was announced that Dan Muller will not be returning to coach the team. However, he will continue to coach the team until the end of the 2021-22 season.
“Announcing a head coaching change during a season is a difficult decision I don’t take lightly,” Brennan states. “Especially with a coach who has given so much of his life to ISU and Redbird Athletics with integrity, passion, and commitment.”
Brennan continues to state the announcement is in the best interest of its student-athletes and the future of the program.
“We have not been performing at a consistent level,” Brennan adds. “We have not seen the continued growth needed to get back into contention in the Missouri Valley Conference.”
The Redbirds (11-15, 4-9 MVC) have five games to play until the conference tournament.
Muller’s Illinois State Redbirds resume
Muller has amassed a 167-150 record in ten seasons as head coach. During his time in Normal, he coached to a share of the 2017 MVC regular-season title.
Prior to coaching, Muller put together a Hall of Fame-worthy career as a member of the Redbirds roster. He helped guide Illinois State to two regular season and conference tournament championships. Additionally, Muller additionally helped lead the Redbirds to four post-season appearances, and back-to-back appearances in the NCAA March Madness tournaments in 1997 and 1998. He is 11th in career scoring with 1,445 points, also earning yearly conference defensive honors twice.
“Muller and his family will always be valued members of the Redbird family,” adds Illinois State President Terri Goss Kinzy. “I want to thank Coach Muller for how he has and will continue to represent ISU and his dedication to our students.
No further details, comments on the head coach search
Illinois State will continue to honor the terms of Muller’s contract while a comprehensive nationwide search is underway. Currently, there is no timeline as to when the hire will occur.
Illinois State officials had no comment on the head coach search Sunday night. However, sources state that comments will be made once the successor is announced.
Brennan states that the decision to start the search process was imperative, given the 30-day notice from Muller.
“This will allow us to find the best candidate,” Brennan said. “[This will also] provide them with the time necessary to recruit prior to the upcoming signing period in April.”
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
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