Muller Steps Down; Brian Jones To Take Over As Interim Coach

NORMAL, Ill.- Following Sunday’s announcement that he will not return after the 2021-22 season, Illinois State men’s basketball coach Dan Muller announced that he will step down effective immediately. Associate Head Coach Brian Jones will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

“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.”

Jones is in his third year with the program after spending 13 seasons at North Dakota where he was the head coach. Jones led the Hawks to the 2016-17 NCAA Tournament, following which, he 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.

Illinois State will continue their national search for a replacement following the completion of the season.