After a strangely quiet and speculation-filled coaching search, Missouri announced that it has hired Kim Anderson to replace Frank Haith as its head coach.
Mizzou hires Kim Anderson as basketball coach
Kim Anderson starred for the Tigers in the 1970s.
Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome #Mizzou alumnus Kim Anderson as the new @MizzouHoops coach!
— Mizzou (@Mizzou) April 28, 2014 The decision seemed to be down to Anderson and former UCLA coach Ben Howland. Despite his rocky exit from UCLA, Howland brought the Bruins to three final fours in 10 years. However, Anderson is the hometown kid. He starred at Mizzou in the 1970s, winning the Big 8 Player of the Year award in 1977, and he was inducted into the Tigers’ Hall of Fame in 1999.
Anderson has been an assistant at Mizzou twice, but has coached Division II Central Missouri for the past 12 years, ending his career with the Mules with an NCAA Division II Championship and as the school’s all-time winningest coach.
Mizzou failed to make the NCAA Tournament this season, falling to Southern Miss in the second round of the NIT, and head coach Frank Haith left for Tulsa two weeks ago. Anderson inherits a team that loses its two best players — Jabari Brown and Jordan Clarkson — to the NBA Draft, so next year could be a rebuilding effort.
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