Loyola’s Bryan Mullins reportedly set to lead SIU men’s basketball
Bryan Mullins, Loyola Ramblers associate head coach, listens in on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, before a matchup between the Southern Illinois Salukis and the Loyola Ramblers at SIU Arena.
March 20, 2019
Bryan Mullins, Loyola Ramblers associate coach and former Saluki guard, will be taking the helm as the fourteenth head men’s basketball coach, according to Jeff Goodman, Stadium reporter and collegiate basketball insider.
Saluki Athletics has not confirmed the hire nor commented on the matter, as rumors on Mullins’ prospective return to Carbondale take social media by storm. The Daily Egyptian has not confirmed Mullin’s employment at the university as of Wednesday afternoon.
Southern Illinois has hired Bryan Mullins as its head coach, source told @Stadium. Former Salukis standout who has been an assistant with Porter Moser at Loyola Chicago.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 20, 2019
Mullins was a standout guard in Saluki basketball, playing at the university from 2006 to 2009. In his time at Southern, he led the Salukis to a 29-7 record and a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2007.
During his career at Southern Illinois, Mullins helped the Salukis appear in two NCAA Tournaments, one NIT playoff and two Missouri Valley Conference championships.
The Downers Grove native was a two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Year and was on the MVC All-Defensive Team team all four seasons he played with the Salukis. He was inducted into the Downers Grove Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Saluki Hall of Fame in 2018.
Mullins excelled not only on the court but also in the classroom. He graduated with a degree in finance and a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point average.
He is a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, was named the 2009 MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and received the MVC President’s Council Academic Award.
Mullins joined Loyola’s staff as the director of basketball operations in 2013, but later served as an assistant coach. He was promoted to the Loyola Ramblers’ associate coach last year.
Jerry Kill, SIU Director of Athletics, said he was looking for someone with the right fit for the university.
“Sometimes, a guy gets out of the fit zone and he’s not very successful,” Kill said during a March 11 press conference. “That’s the key element I’m looking for, the right fit for Southern Illinois. The right fit is number one. Number two, I want a disciplined ball club. Number three, tough.”
Hinson resigned as Southern’s head coach following the Salukis’ 61-58 Missouri Valley Tournament loss against the University of Northern Iowa.
“I am so sorry. I am so sorry we couldn’t get back to a tournament. It’s haunted me,” Hinson said. “It’s haunted me my entire life. But I’m a man of faith, and my dad taught me a long time ago, I know not what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future.”
There could be a press conference announcing the individual which will take over Barry Hinson’s position as head coach as early as Thursday.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Sports editor Adam Warfel can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @warfel_adam.
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Dale Boyer • Mar 20, 2019 at 5:47 pm
A great player at SIU. Top assist leader, could score and played great defense. Was there in the glory days. If coaches like he played he can be very successful. Won’t happen overnight. Support and give him a chance.