Dan Muller

[BirdsEyeView]

In a selfish and a "how does this help ME" mentality world, this is a breath of fresh air from a coach truly growing into his role.

Although, it provides uncertainty for the ISUr basketball coaching staff (Yaklich was the lead assistant and recruiter), I think other coaches will jump at the opportunity to work for him after hearing about this.

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/column ... 72ed2.html

[valleyclimber]

The action seems foolish on the surface, but I think ISU's Muller is one smart cookie and knows what he's doing.

[BEARZ77]

I simply don't see it as that big a deal. I'm sure there are those coaches who don't, but every coach I've ever talked to at our level says one of their goals is to help their assistants rise up thru the system and get lucrative opportunities. I would have no respect for one who didn't, so while I commend Muller for doing so, I would expect the same from any coach in the Valley. It's what they're supposed to do.

[BirdsEyeView]

How many of those head coaches are openly calling other schools offering up their assistants? Hardly any. Yes, they want their assistants to advance, typically as a head coach, not as another assistant. But, even so, I ask again, how many head coaches are openly calling another head coach telling them to take their own assistants away without being solicited first by the hiring head coach??

[BCPanther]

With all this coaching talent you'd think Illinois State would have made a tournament this millennium...

[BEARZ77]

How many of those head coaches are openly calling other schools offering up their assistants? Hardly any. Yes, they want their assistants to advance, typically as a head coach, not as another assistant. But, even so, I ask again, how many head coaches are openly calling another head coach telling them to take their own assistants away without being solicited first by the hiring head coach??

So you really believe that the story is that out of the blue one day Muller just decides to call and offer up his assistants to another coach? Well, ok I guess.

[BirdsEyeView]

How many of those head coaches are openly calling other schools offering up their assistants? Hardly any. Yes, they want their assistants to advance, typically as a head coach, not as another assistant. But, even so, I ask again, how many head coaches are openly calling another head coach telling them to take their own assistants away without being solicited first by the hiring head coach??

So you really believe that the story is that out of the blue one day Muller just decides to call and offer up his assistants to another coach? Well, ok I guess.

Quote from Beilein in article (https://www.maizenbrew.com/2017/8/4/160 ... -vacancies)

"First of all, I would like to thank Illinois State head coach Dan Muller for his professionalism throughout this entire search," Beilein said in a statement. "He reached out to us and recommended Luke and had nothing but great things to say about DeAndre. Losing two coaches is never easy, however, Dan encouraged both to pursue these openings with strong interest knowing it would help them reach their personal goals. He was first class in every way throughout the process."

I also listened to the interview this morning on the radio with Dan Muller asking how this happened:

Muller called Beilein out of the blue and left a message telling him he should interview Yaklich and Haynes (Dre) after Yaklich expressed his interest in high major job openings or head coaching positions at their year end meeting together.

Beilein texted him back rather than calling "not interested right now"

Belein calls Muller a week later and said he would now like to talk to them both

The rest is history...

So yes I do believe it.

[BirdsEyeView]

With all this coaching talent you'd think Illinois State would have made a tournament this millennium...

Well he has only been the coach for 5 years, so millennium is a stretch.

[BEARZ77]

How many of those head coaches are openly calling other schools offering up their assistants? Hardly any. Yes, they want their assistants to advance, typically as a head coach, not as another assistant. But, even so, I ask again, how many head coaches are openly calling another head coach telling them to take their own assistants away without being solicited first by the hiring head coach??

So you really believe that the story is that out of the blue one day Muller just decides to call and offer up his assistants to another coach? Well, ok I guess.

Quote from Beilein in article (https://www.maizenbrew.com/2017/8/4/160 ... -vacancies)

"First of all, I would like to thank Illinois State head coach Dan Muller for his professionalism throughout this entire search," Beilein said in a statement. "He reached out to us and recommended Luke and had nothing but great things to say about DeAndre. Losing two coaches is never easy, however, Dan encouraged both to pursue these openings with strong interest knowing it would help them reach their personal goals. He was first class in every way throughout the process."

I also listened to the interview this morning on the radio with Dan Muller asking how this happened:

Muller called Beilein out of the blue and left a message telling him he should interview Yaklich and Haynes (Dre) after Yaklich expressed his interest in high major job openings or head coaching positions at their year end meeting together.

Beilein texted him back rather than calling "not interested right now"

Belein calls Muller a week later and said he would now like to talk to them both

The rest is history...

So yes I do believe it.

I guess we see this very differently because your above note states that Yaklich had already had conversations with Muller at years end about wanting to pursue High major openings. Muller simply acted on his already expressed interest. Again bravo for Muller, but his employee had already made his interest known. The contact with Belein was unsolicited by Belein, but the desire to have his boss help him make a jump had been expressed by Yaklich and Muller complied.

[LanceShock]

Just out of curiousity, did Haynes have any prior connection to Yaklich? I can understand Muller reaching out on behalf of Yaklich for four years of faithful service, but also recommending Haynes is a little baffling when he had only been at IlSU since May. In some ways, I'm not sure if Haynes had even been there long enough for Muller to be able to give a meaningful recommendation.

It is good to see Muller looking after the people working for him though. One of the best bosses I ever worked for tried to lead by the phrase "a leader's first responsibility is to those who follow him." (I believe the quote is originally from John Maxwell)