* 2000 NCAA Division II National Champions
* NCAA Division II National Tournament, 3rd Place (2003), 5th Place (1999), 7th Place (2002)
* 2009 NCAA Division I Tempe Super Regional
* 2009 NCAA Division I Norman Region Champions
* 2015 NCAA Division I Eugene Region Runner-up
* 2019, 2014 NCAA Division I Minneapolis Region Participant
* 2018, 2012 NCAA Division I Tucson Region Participant
* 2017 NCAA Division I Norman Regional Participant
* 2016 NCAA Division I Seattle Region Participant
* 2011 NCAA Division I Tempe Region Participant
* 2010 NCAA Division I Seattle Region Participant
* 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 NCAA North Central Region Champions
* 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 Summit League Tournament Champions
* 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2008 Summit League Regular Season Champions
* 2002, 1999 North Central Conference Champions
* 2000 Speedline Division II National Coaching Staff of the Year
* 2016, 2015, 2009 NFCA Division I Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year
* 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 Speedline Division II North Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year
* 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2008 Summit League Coaching Staff of the Year, 2002 North Central Conference Co-Coach of the Year
* 2007, 2006 Division I Independent Coach of the Year
Darren Mueller wrapped up his 24th season as the North Dakota State University head softball coach in 2025, and 30th year overall with the Bison. Mueller hit the 700-win milestone with his final victory of the 2022 season against Omaha (5-13-20) and has a record of 766-507 as the leader of the Bison. NDSU has won at least 30 games in 14 of the past 18 seasons.
Mueller has led North Dakota State to 10 Summit League tournament championships. The Bison advanced to NCAA Minneapolis Regional in 2019. NDSU has won at least one NCAA tournament game in five of the past six appearances. North Dakota State was ranked No. 48 in the final 2019 NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). NDSU finished No. 41 in 2015 to achieve the highest ranking in the softball program's history.
The 2009 season proved to be an eventful one. In its first year of Division I postseason eligibility, Mueller directed North Dakota State to The Summit League tournament championship, the NCAA Division I Norman Region championship and berth in the NCAA Division I Super Regional played against Arizona State in Tempe.
The NDSU coaching staff received the 2016, 2015 and 2009 NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) Division I Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year award; 2002 and 2003 NFCA Division II North Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year award; 2019, 2015 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2008 Summit League Coaching of the Year; 2007 and 2006 Division I Independent Coaching Staff of the Year, and the 2002 North Central Conference Co-Coaching Staff of the Year.
Mueller completed his 29th year with the NDSU softball program. For seven seasons alongside Mitch Hanson, Mueller was responsible for coordinating recruiting and working with the hitters and catchers. The Bison were among the NCAA hitting leaders over a six-year period from 1998-2003 and connected for a school record .357 batting average in 1998. NDSU also hit for power, clubbing a school-record 58 home runs in 2003.
The 12th coach in the program’s 46-year history, Mueller was part of a coaching staff that guided the Bison to a seven-year record of 339-125 and six straight winning seasons. The 2000 NCAA national championship team posted a 68-10 ledger to set a Division II record for most wins in a season.
North Dakota State made five straight NCAA tournament appearances from 1998 to 2003, including back-to-back national tourney trips in 1999 and 2000 and again in 2002 and 2003. Mueller, assistant Mike McLeod and Hanson were selected the 2000 Speedline Division II National Coaching Staff of the Year. The trio was also named the 1999 and 2000 Speedline Division II North Central Regional Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Mueller will also challenge the student-athletes to excel in the classroom. Six NDSU players, Melissa Chmielewski, Sarah Schmitz, Michelle Wiest, Aimee Enzler, Jackie Stifter and Krista Menke have been selected CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. Since 1995, 39 Bison players have earned 75 NFCA Academic Scholar-Athlete awards (3.50 grade-point average or higher).
Mueller has authored many articles for the NFCA and produced four videos on hitting. He has coached internationally in Holland and Australia with USA all-star teams that have competed against the Dutch National and numerous all-star teams.
Mueller is a Fargo native. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from NDSU in 1994 and master’s degree in 2006. He received his MGCP (Mental Game Coaching Professional) certification in 2017.
Mueller Milestone Victories
1 vs. Quincy (Ill.), 3-1-02
100 vs. Southern Connecticut State, 3-20-04
200 vs. South Dakota State, 3-25-07
300 vs. Wright State, 3-12-10
400 vs. Northern Illinois, 3-13-13
500 vs. IUPUI, 5-9-15
600 vs. Western Illinois, 5-5-18
700 vs. Omaha, 5-13-22
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| Mueller Year-By-Year |
| Year |
Team |
Overall |
League |
Reg. Season |
Tournament |
NCAA |
| 2002 |
North Dakota State |
44-10 |
12-2 |
|
1st |
T7th |
| 2003 |
North Dakota State |
43-11 |
11-5 |
|
2nd |
3rd |
| 2004 |
North Dakota State |
40-11 |
11-3 |
|
4th |
Regional |
| 2005 |
North Dakota State |
24-27 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
| 2006 |
North Dakota State |
28-29 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
| 2007 |
North Dakota State |
34-23 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
| 2008 |
North Dakota State |
37-17 |
14-2 |
1st |
--- |
--- |
| 2009 |
North Dakota State |
38-20 |
19-4 |
2nd |
1st |
Super Regional |
| 2010 |
North Dakota State |
33-25 |
14-8 |
3rd |
1st |
Regional |
| 2011 |
North Dakota State |
30-27 |
17-7 |
2nd |
1st |
Regional |
| 2012 |
North Dakota State |
38-22 |
18-6 |
1st |
1st |
Regional |
| 2013 |
North Dakota State |
33-16 |
17-1 |
1st |
2nd |
--- |
| 2014 |
North Dakota State |
36-18 |
13-3 |
1st |
1st |
Regional |
| 2015 |
North Dakota State |
45-11 |
16-2 |
1st |
1st |
Regional |
| 2016 |
North Dakota State |
39-15 |
17-0 |
1st |
1st |
Regional |
| 2017 |
North Dakota State |
29-33 |
11-7 |
T2nd |
1st |
Regional |
| 2018 |
North Dakota State |
34-19 |
10-3 |
1st |
1st |
Regional |
| 2019 |
North Dakota State |
42-16 |
16-2 |
1st |
1st |
Regional |
| 2020 |
North Dakota State* |
7-16 |
--- |
|
--- |
--- |
| 2021 |
North Dakota State |
16-29 |
11-12 |
3rd |
--- |
--- |
| 2022 |
North Dakota State |
30-23 |
10-8 |
3rd |
3rd |
--- |
| 2023 |
North Dakota State |
30-21 |
13-8 |
3rd |
4th |
--- |
| 2024 |
North Dakota State |
17-37 |
4-14 |
7th |
--- |
--- |
| Totals |
23 years |
747-472 |
254-97 |
8 titles |
11 titles |
0 titles |
