Downers Grove South High School Alumni
Downers Grove, Illinois (IL)
Bryan Mullins
Basketball coach for the Southern Illinois Salukis
What is Bryan Mullins known for?
Bryan Mullins, born on January 13, 1987, in Hinsdale, Illinois, is recognized as a standout in the world of basketball, both as a player and coach. A graduate of Downers Grove South High School in Downers Grove, Illinois, Mullins' career in basketball began to shine during his time at Southern Illinois from 2005 to 2009. As a collegiate player, he left his mark with notable achievements including being named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009, included in the Second team All-MVC (2008) and 4× MVC All-Defensive Team (2006–2009).
After college, Mullins went undrafted in the NBA draft in 2009, but his playing career didn't stop there. He played as a point guard for JL Bourg-en-Bresse from 2009 to 2010 and then for Châlons-Reims from 2010 to 2013.
Transitioning from player to coach, Bryan Mullins began his coaching career at Loyola Chicago, initially as the Director of Basketball Operations, later becoming an assistant, and then Associate Head Coach. During his time at Loyola, he was part of the team's historic Final Four run in the 2018 NCAA tournament.
Mullins was appointed as the 14th head coach for the Southern Illinois Salukis men's basketball team in 2019. Under his leadership, the Salukis saw a significant improvement in their performance. Despite initial projections of finishing last, the team managed a 10-8 conference record and a seven-game winning streak in Mullins' first season. Their performance led to Mullins being named second for the Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year.
Standout statistics from his coaching record include a 70-55 overall record and a 38-36 conference record. The 2022-23 season was an especially successful one for Mullins and the Salukis, with a 23-10 overall record and a 14-6 conference record.
Off the court, Mullins comes from a basketball-loving family. His older brother Brendan was a former college basketball player and assistant coach at Southern Illinois Salukis, and his father, Mike, founded the Illinois Wolves AAU program.