Less than 24 hours after a heart-wrenching double overtime loss to University of Illinois-Chicago in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, Southern Illinois men’s basketball head coach Bryan Mullins will no longer be a part of the program, the university confirmed on Friday.
After a rollercoaster season with hopes of a league-shocking championship run, Mullins’ team failed to make it through the first round of the tournament.
Mullins had a career record of 86-68 in his five years at Southern Illinois University. In those five years, he coached multiple first-team all-conference players including MVC’s most improved team captain for 2024, Xavier Johnson and 2020 freshman of the year, Marcus Domask.
Advertisement
The Saluki Hall-of-Fame member won conference defensive player of the year twice to go along with being SIU’s all-time assist leader. His playing career lasted from 2005-2009.
“I have tremendous respect for everything Bryan has accomplished throughout his career as a Saluki,” SIU athletic director Tim Leonard said in a statement. “He guided our program with class and integrity, was an outstanding role model for our student-athletes, and handled himself as a true professional.”
A national search will begin immediately for the next men’s basketball coach, according to Leonard.
Advertisement
Stanley Elkins • Apr 11, 2024 at 10:12 pm
The University needs to focus more on the success of students after time at SIU and not the wins and losses of the Athletic department. It seemed to me that Coach Mullins was building a caring culture for the athletes and the surrounding area.
Jeff Price • Mar 19, 2024 at 4:09 pm
It’s hard to overcome losing Jones to Perdue and Domask to Illinois. If those guys had stayed it would have been a lot different story. This is the way of the future. Mid Majors developing great talent only to have it stolen by elite teams. I don’t know what Mullins could have done differently. It’s a shame.
Ben Gruszczyk • Mar 8, 2024 at 5:14 pm
Best to Mullins, but U made the correct decision. It ain’t personal, it’s just business.
Bob Chamberlin • Mar 11, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Brian did a nice job but just couldn’t get us to the next level. He did us proud and my very best to him and his family. He should not have a problem finding a job