Muller: No comment on Hawkins suspension

Posted on August 19, 2015

Deontae Hawkins started 18 games as a freshman at Illinois State. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Illinois State men’s basketball coach Dan Muller isn’t saying what prompted the suspension of forward Deontae ‘Teddy’ Hawkins and his being sent home during the team’s exhibition trip to Spain.

Muller would only say he violated team rules. He told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin personal matters with players is something he won’t discuss.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Muller on WJBC.

“I’ve got no problem saying that, fans have in general no right to know what this 21-year old young man did,” Muller said. “That’s between me and him and our team.”

Hawkins remains suspended from the team, but he is back in school.

Muller added he and most coaches follow a policy of not discussing a students athlete’s personal life.

“We don’t get into specifics when kids are suspended not nor does any team across the country, just certain personal attacks on guys are unfair at times,” Muller said.

The Redbirds played four games in Spain, winning three of them.

Hawkins played in 25 games as a freshman, averaging 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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