Illinois State University Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan announced today that Dan Muller will not return as Redbird Men’s Basketball Head Coach after the conclusion of this season. Coach Muller will continue to coach his team through the remainder of the 2021-22 basketball season.
“Announcing a head coaching change during a season is a difficult decision I don’t take lightly, especially with a coach who has given so much of his life to ISU and Redbird Athletics with integrity, passion and commitment. I believe this is what is best for our current student-athletes and the future of the program,” Brennan said. “We have not been performing at a consistent level and we have not seen the continued growth needed to get back into contention in the Missouri Valley Conference.”
The Redbirds currently sit at 11-15 overall and 4-9 in Missouri Valley Conference play with five remaining games to play before the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. In 10 seasons as the head coach at Illinois State, Muller has amassed a 167-150 record and coached the Redbirds to a share of the 2017 MVC regular-season title. Prior to his coaching career at ISU, Muller put together a Hall of Fame playing career with the Redbirds. He guided ISU to two regular-season and Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships and four postseason appearances, including trips to the NCAA Tournament in his final two seasons (1997 and 1998). He ranks 11th in career scoring with 1,445 points and was a two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Year.
“Dan Muller and his family will always be valued members of the Redbird Family. I want to thank Coach Muller for how he has and will continue to represent Illinois State University and his dedication to our students,” ISU President Terri Goss Kinzy added.
The terms of Muller’s contract will be honored by Illinois State Athletics. A comprehensive, national search for a new head coach will begin immediately. There is no set timeline to make a hire, and there will be no comment on the search or the candidates until the announcement of the next leader for Redbird Men’s Basketball.
“Given the contract requirement of 30-day notice, it was imperative to make a timely decision to begin the search process for a new coach. This will allow us to find the best candidate and provide them with the time necessary to recruit prior to the upcoming April signing period,” Brennan continued. “On behalf of Redbird Athletics, I want to thank Dan and Melissa for their service to Illinois State, wish them well in the future, and know they will always be Redbirds.”
