Indiana University Athletics
Nancy Mueller Added as Assistant Volleyball Coach
6/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
June 26, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Nancy Mueller, a two-time Midwest Region Coach of the Year, has been named an assistant coach for the Hoosier Volleyball program. Mueller brings nearly 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to Bloomington, including 10 years running a Division I program as the head coach.
"Nancy is the perfect fit for our program right now," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "I've known Nancy for over 15 years and have witnessed the passion she has for her job and the student-athletes. She will hit the ground running and that is exactly what we need to continue to improve and move up in the Big Ten."
"I am thrilled to be a part of Indiana University and the Volleyball family," said Mueller. "It has long been a goal of mine to coach in the Big Ten, and to be able to do it at Indiana University, one of the premier schools in the conference, is a challenge I am looking forward to."
Most recently, Mueller served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Bradley University during the 2009 season. Before her stop in Peoria, Ill., she was a head coach for 10 years between the University of Illinois at Chicago (2004-08) and the University of South Florida (2000-03).
"Her experience as a successful head coach will pay dividends for us on many fronts and bring new ideas to the table," said Dunbar.
"Coach Dunbar has changed the face of IU Volleyball, and has made a stand in the Big Ten," said Mueller. "I can't thank her enough for affording me the opportunity to be a part of such a great program."
Mueller led UIC to improved records in each of her first three seasons, culminating in the Flames' best regular-season conference finish in 2006 when the Flames took second in the Horizon League.
In addition to the most successful regular season in program history, she guided UIC to the championship game of the 2006 Horizon League Tournament, marking just the second championship game appearance in program history.
During her time at UIC, Mueller coached six First-Team Horizon League performers, including the school's career assist leader.
Prior to her five-year stint as head coach at UIC, Mueller had five very successful seasons at South Florida, where she owned a 106-60 (.639) record. She led the Bulls to two NCAA Tournament appearances and was a two-time AVCA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year selection.
All told, she led USF to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2000 and 2002, two Conference USA regular-season championships (2000, 2002) and a Conference USA Tournament title (2002), while coaching the school's first-ever All-American and three all-region selections.
In her second season, the Bulls posted a 28-6 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament after claiming the Conference USA Regular Season title in 2000. Mueller earned the first of two AVCA Regional Coach of the Year honors.
USF followed up with a 21-9 record in 2001 and was ranked as high as fifth in the Midwest Region. The 2002 season was arguably the Bulls best under Mueller, as South Florida finished the season with a 30-7 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. USF claimed both the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles, while Mueller was named AVCA Regional Coach of the Year in addition to being selected as the Conference USA Coach of the Year.
Mueller was an assistant coach at Houston for four years before taking over at USF. The Cougars made four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament (1995-98) during her time in the Lone Star State. Mueller started her coaching career at Iowa State, where she was an assistant coach from 1993-95.
A 1993 graduate of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, Exercise Physiology, Mueller was a four-time letterwinner for the Volunteers as a defensive specialist and setter.
