Coincidentally, Muller was promoted to assistant coach in 2002 to replace Tim Jankovich who left to join Bill Self at Illinois.

Jankovich was ISU’s head coach the past five years, compiling a 104-64 record. He resigned on April 26 to become the associate coach/coach-in-waiting for Larry Brown at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

It is not known if Muller will retain either of the other two ISU assistants, Anthony Beane or Paris Parham. ISU officials said after Jankovich resigned that Judson would be part of the next coaching staff if he wasn’t named head coach.

Judson later said he would assess what his role would be and other coaching options before deciding whether to stay at ISU.

Muller interviewed Thursday with ISU athletic director Gary Friedman. That same day Friedman interviewed Gonzaga assistant Ray Giacoletti, a Redbird assistant from 1990-93 under Bob Bender. Judson was interviewed the next day.

Friedman said he would not comment on the coaching search until the news conference to announce Jankovich’s replacement.

The Redbirds finished this past season with a 21-14 record and are expected to return all their key players for the 2012-13 season when they could contend for the MVC title and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.

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