Dan Muller steps down as Redbird coach; Brian Jones to serve as Interim Coach

Posted on February 14, 2022
Redbird Associate Head Coach Brian Jones will now take the role as Interim Coach following Muller’s departure. Jones has been on the staff for three seasons, and came to Illinois State after spending 13 seasons as the head coach at North Dakota. (Photo Courtesy of GoRedbirds.com)

By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON-Following an announcement that Illinois State men’s basketball head coach Dan Muller would not return for the 2023 season, Muller has decided to step down from his head coaching position immediately.

“After an emotional day yesterday, and more time to talk to my players about this difficult situation, I have decided to step away and not coach this team the rest of the season,” Muller said. “I completely understand that playing for a coach that has been fired could be very difficult, and I do not want to be a distraction to my players. Brian Jones will fill my shoes, and the rest of the staff will do everything they can for these players. I will be cheering hard for this team at home while you support them at Redbird Arena and beyond.”

“Dan informed me of his decision today to step away from coaching for the remainder of the season,” ISU Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said. “We are thankful for Coach Muller’s contributions as a coach and student-athlete, and we appreciate Coach Jones stepping up to lead our program during this transition. We will continue to support our student-athletes as we begin our national pursuit for the next leader of Redbird Men’s Basketball.”

Redbird Associate Head Coach Brian Jones will now take the role as Interim Coach following Muller’s departure. Jones has been on the staff for three seasons, and came to Illinois State after spending 13 seasons as the head coach at North Dakota.

During his time in Grand Forks, Jones led the Hawks to the 2016-17 NCAA Tournament, and in doing so, was named the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year. In total, he guided UND to six post-season berths and three appearances in Big Sky Conference Championship games.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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