Illinois Wesleyan

Brandon Mueller Year-by-Year Record

In 2027, Brandon Mueller will enter his seventh season as head coach of the men's volleyball team. 

In his five seasons he has posted a 67-75 (.472 winning percentage) overall record and a 19-45 (.297 winning percentage) conference record. He has been awarded CCIW "Coaching Staff of the Year" once in 2026, and AVCA Region IV Coach of the Year once, also in 2026.

Mueller has coached five All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honorees. Michael Eastman became the first in program history to earn All-CCIW honors, as he was named to the second team in 2024. Mueller has also coached one AVCA All American (Ethan Kuziela, first team in 2026), one AVCA All-Region Selection, and one CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year (Aydin Provost, 2026). He has also coached two AVCA National Player of the Week honorees, as Brenden Reutter became the first Titan to earn the honor Feb. 11, 2025, and Ethan Kuziela earned the accolade Feb. 17, 2026.

The 2026 team reached unprecedented heights, as IWU finished with the most wins in program history with a record of 22-6. The Titans also posted their best record in the CCIW, finishing second in the conference with a record of 8-2. Illinois Wesleyan made its first appearance in the CCIW Tournament, and won its first postseason match, defeating Loras College in straight sets inside Shirk Center April 8, 2026. Making its first appearance in the CCIW Tournament Championship match, the Titans ended their historic season with a three-set loss to Carthage College, which went on to finish runner-up in the NCAA Tournament. The 2026 Titans set numerous records, and earned NCAA Statistical Champion honors in two categories, as they led all of Division III in kills per set (13.41) and assists per set (12.35). Ethan Kuziela finished with five triple-double performances, the most among any player in the entire NCAA.

Former Division III All-American and National Champion Mueller was named the men's volleyball head coach at Illinois Wesleyan, Oct. 3, 2019. Mueller, who brings more than 15 years of volleyball experience with him, is the first coach in program history. 

Mueller has made coaching stops throughout the club and high school coaching ranks, including stints with Illini Elite, Club Fusion, Club SOVA, Bartlett High School, and Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School. At DCM, he compiled a 189-44-2 record, led the Braves to the state championships in 2014 and 2017, and was honored as the 2014 Illinois High School Girl's Volleyball Coach of the Year. Under Mueller's tutelage, the Braves also finished third in the state in 2013 and second in 2015. During his time at Bartlett, he owned a 73-47 as the Varsity Girl's Volleyball coach from 2008 to 2011.

Mueller is regarded as one of the best men's volleyball players in NCAA Division III history. A member of the Springfield College 2018 Hall of Fame class, he led the Pride to Division III National Championships in 2002 and 2003. A two-time Molten Invitational Division III National Championship Most Valuable Player honoree, Mueller holds the Springfield career records for kills (1,604), points (1,835.5), and aces (109). Mueller was a two-time AVCA First Team All-American and three-time Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association All-Conference pick. As a senior he led the EIVA in points and kills per set.

Following a storied career at Springfield, Mueller competed professionally for Team Bocholt in Germany in 2006.

Mueller, who resides in Normal, Ill. with his wife and two children, earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Springfield College in 2005.