Ping: Missouri fans -- it's Mike Anderson

[kcchief19]

This story broke over the weekend, but it appears to have legs.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/14127756.htm

The rumors are hot over who the booster(s) is/are (Laurie and Kroenke are the obvious choices), but rumors persist that Jon Sunvold is advocating for Huggins too. Add Charlie Spoonhour talking nice about him in St. Louis, and you have a groundswell. Rumors -- again that word -- say Huggins will be on campus this week.

How would you feel about this? The criteria I hear most frequently from people about who they want to see as the next coach are a current head coach, clean image, ability to rouse the fan base. There have been plenty of candidates bandied about that fit all three of those, and Huggins certainly technically fits two (I'll count him as a current coach), but do you think we can/should take a chance with Huggins and his troubled past?

I'm torn. I don't really like Huggins. I think he's obnoxious. I don't really care for the characters he recruits -- he scooped up alleged rapist Robert Whalley after Quin was ordered to drop him. But I like his record. I think he could do more at Missouri than he did at Cincinnati, what with a great building, great facilities, great boosters and great fans. I think Huggins and Missouri is a guaranteed ticket to the Final Four at some point in the future and a perrennial top 25 team.

But is it worth it? Does anyone have a decided opinion one way or another? Can someone make a convincing case for Huggins?

In other news, apparently sources close to the program have confirmed that Dana Altman was on campus the other day. Not sure that's going to go anywhere, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Altman had limited success at K-State, and I'm not sure if he's just a pretty good coach who has carved out a niche at Creighton or if he's learned a lot since his K-State days and is ready for another shot at the big time.

[st.cronin]

I don't think Huggins was that dirty. He recruited some odd guys, but for the most part didn't they behave well in his program? Did he break any recruiting rules? I always thought it was just that he was willing to take a chance on somebody that other coaches were afraid of, and most of the time, he was able to make it work.

The bigger concern for me would be his drinking.

[davidlando1]

There's a thread somewhere in here when Snyder resigned, where I called this.. ::: pats self on back:::: :D

[cougarfreak]

I don't think Huggins was that dirty. He recruited some odd guys, but for the most part didn't they behave well in his program?

The bigger concern for me would be his drinking.

Players recently have behaved OK, nothing spectacular, players a few years ago acted like complete morons. Huggins is headed down the Eddie Sutton school of drinking IMO, LOTS of rumors about serious problems with alcohol.

[JPhillips]

Several Cincy players had run-ins with the law. The most notable, of course, was Art Long punching a police horse, but there have been numerous others. He also has a terrible graduation rate.

I think the bigger worry with Huggins is his alcoholism. I have never heard him really own up to having a drinking problem. It was well known around Cincy that Huggins drank a lot and his DUI made it all public. If I were looking at hiring him I would be worried that his obstinance hasn't allowed him to get past his drinking problem.

But, if all you care about are wins, he'll get those in bunches. Its not hard to see why the alumni would back him.

[MizzouRah]

I honestly don't see what all the uproar about Huggins... look what he did at Cincinnati.

[scooper]

When he was in high school, my brother lost his hat in a drinking contest with Huggins at a friend's party. I don't remember what kind of hat it was. I wonder if Huggins ever wore it.

[panerd]

I think every one of my friends has a DUI except me. While I would hardly say they are nominees for the Baptist hall of fame, I would say only one of them has what I would consider to be a drinking problem. If there is other information I am not aware of then maybe Huggins has a problem. But if we are basing this on DUI's then I hardly would say this is a major issue.

With that said... the question really comes down to how bad Mizzou wants to win. If a player like Hansborough has offers between Mizzou and UNC or Jadadi White between Mizzou and Georgetown or Carawell between Mizzou and Duke it is pretty obvious where they are going to go. We all love Mizzou, but let's not kid ourselves. The question becomes whether we want to take risks on the kids like Clemons and Whaley. This has obviosuly blown up in our faces recently, but O'Liney and Atkins are some names that spring to mind who weren't exactly division I acedemically. If we are happy competing for just a NCAA tournament slot (with our kids being put on CBS as a bubble team) than I say no to Huggins. If we actually want to become a force in college basketball then we have to be willing to accept some players who might have the talent to play at an elite school, but some baggage that prevents that from happening. I am not sure where I stand on this to be quite honest. But at least I am being realistic. Is our ultimate goal to be UNLV or Duke? One of those will never happen.

[scooper]

I think every one of my friends has a DUI except me. While I would hardly say they are nominees for the Baptist hall of fame, I would say only one of them has what I would consider to be a drinking problem. If there is other information I am not aware of then maybe Huggins has a problem. But if we are basing this on DUI's then I hardly would say this is a major issue.


It's not based on the one DUI. It was brewing for awhile. The DUI just brought it out to the public. I'm serious about his beating my brother as a high schooler in a drinking contest. Oh, my brother(now upper 20's) has a drinking problem as well. Go figure.

[Swaggs]

Realistically, I think Huggins is a good, short-term solution. He is no youngster and will not be at his next school for, probably, more than 5-10 seasons. He is charismatic with the boosters and is one of the best 10 or 20 best college recruiters/coaches available (both employed and unemployed).

Strangely, I think he would be a good "safe" choice for Mizzou. I could see him building the program back up by making them winners and making their head coaching job one of the better positions available by the time he leaves.

[panerd]

It's not based on the one DUI. It was brewing for awhile. The DUI just brought it out to the public. I'm serious about his beating my brother as a high schooler in a drinking contest. Oh, my brother(now upper 20's) has a drinking problem as well. Go figure.

I guess I consider a drinking problem to be him showing up at games half loaded or driving to recruits houses with a 12 pack in his passenger seat. I could care less what the guy does on his own time. The last year or two I hated Quin the coach with a passion but I still never thought his supposed personal issues had anything to do with his job. If he actually knew how to coach the players on how to run an offense or make free throws his then he could have slept with every player's girlfriend (Matt Lawrence's might have been a bit too young) and did coke sitting on one of the columns for all I care. If Huggins can coach bring him in. (I felt the same way about Larry Eustachy and sort of feel sorry for Eddie Sutton. Wha will their legacies be? Why?)

[scooper]

I guess I consider a drinking problem to be him showing up at games half loaded or driving to recruits houses with a 12 pack in his passenger seat. I don't know what was in his seat, but he was coming from dinner with a recruit and his family when he got the DUI. And he wasn't just legally drunk. The police video was shown a lot around here. He was barely able to walk or speak.

If he actually knew how to coach the players on how to run an offense or make free throws his then he could have slept with every player's girlfriend (Matt Lawrence's might have been a bit too young) and did coke sitting on one of the columns for all I care.

Huggins is a great recruiter. And an even better motivator. His teams play hard and play great defense. But if you're looking for a guy to set up offenses, he is nowhere near the guy you are looking for. His cincy teams scored via turnovers and muscle. They always had issues with half court offenses.

[Blade6119]

(Matt Lawrence's might have been a bit too young)
Wow, care to elaborate on that? Did it happen? Matt and i were friends all through pre-school through middle school together. If the coach hit up his gf, im going to have to ridicule him over it:D

[Gary Gorski]

If Mizzou wants to lose first round tournament games to teams with far less talent then Huggins is the man for the job. Huggins got the Bearcats to the big dance with a high seed because they played in a weak conference yet they never made it out of the first weekend. Nobody was an easier upset pick in the brackets than Cincy so if that's what you Mizzou fans want then good luck to you.

[panerd]

Wow, care to elaborate on that? Did it happen? Matt and i were friends all through pre-school through middle school together. If the coach hit up his gf, im going to have to ridicule him over it:D

Probably a problem with wording on my part. I believe the rumor was that Quin slept with Klieza's girlfriend and that is part of the reason he left for the NBA. (Ignoring other obvious reasons, $$$) I was saying in my post that I don't care who he sleeps with if he wins games, the Lawrence comment was that a freshman's girlfriend may be a bit too young. Just a stupid comment by me that means nothing. Don't read any more into it than that.

[panerd]

If Mizzou wants to lose first round tournament games to teams with far less talent then Huggins is the man for the job. Huggins got the Bearcats to the big dance with a high seed because they played in a weak conference yet they never made it out of the first weekend. Nobody was an easier upset pick in the brackets than Cincy so if that's what you Mizzou fans want then good luck to you.

With the exception of 2002, I don't think we have ever gone as far as our seed is supposed to. We made an elite eight run in '94 but a #1 seed is supposed to technically reach the final four. So it least Huggins might get us back in the tournament, it is hard to be upset in the first weekend when you aren't even playing basketball.

[st.cronin]

If Mizzou wants to lose first round tournament games to teams with far less talent then Huggins is the man for the job. Huggins got the Bearcats to the big dance with a high seed because they played in a weak conference yet they never made it out of the first weekend. Nobody was an easier upset pick in the brackets than Cincy so if that's what you Mizzou fans want then good luck to you.

Is that true? I thought I remembered them making the final four once.

[kcchief19]

Probably a problem with wording on my part. I believe the rumor was that Quin slept with Klieza's girlfriend and that is part of the reason he left for the NBA. (Ignoring other obvious reasons, $$$) I was saying in my post that I don't care who he sleeps with if he wins games, the Lawrence comment was that a freshman's girlfriend may be a bit too young. Just a stupid comment by me that means nothing. Don't read any more into it than that.
I don't know how much credence I put into those rumors. Quin's rumored to have nailed every one in the state at one point or another, so I think some of them are just good gossip. The rumor with the most traction is that he was dating Paige Laurie, which if it were true then I think some reputable media source would have finally confirmed it and reported it.

[Chubby]

st cronin - they did.

In response to the thread title, I kinda doubt Bob Huggins reads this forum. There's really no need to ping him.

[Blade6119]

Probably a problem with wording on my part. I believe the rumor was that Quin slept with Klieza's girlfriend and that is part of the reason he left for the NBA. (Ignoring other obvious reasons, $$$) I was saying in my post that I don't care who he sleeps with if he wins games, the Lawrence comment was that a freshman's girlfriend may be a bit too young. Just a stupid comment by me that means nothing. Don't read any more into it than that.
Screw it, im still going to ridicule him over it. I always like having good material on my mizzou athlete friends. Now i just have to think of some for Van Alexander and Chase Daniel

[MizzouRah]

If Mizzou wants to lose first round tournament games to teams with far less talent then Huggins is the man for the job. Huggins got the Bearcats to the big dance with a high seed because they played in a weak conference yet they never made it out of the first weekend. Nobody was an easier upset pick in the brackets than Cincy so if that's what you Mizzou fans want then good luck to you.

You mean we'd have 20+ win seasons again and a spot in the NCAA tournament? I'm all for it!!

Everytime I saw Cincy on TV, they always had one hell of a team, I'd take that in a heartbeat.

[primelord]

You mean we'd have 20+ win seasons again and a spot in the NCAA tournament? I'm all for it!!

Everytime I saw Cincy on TV, they always had one hell of a team, I'd take that in a heartbeat.

I can't believe you feel this way. You must not remember how frustrating the Norm Stewart days were. Between 86-99 Mizzou made the tourney 10 times. 10 out of 14 years isn't too shabby. They managed to go out in the first round 6 out of theose 10 times! 8 out of 10 times they were gone by the 2nd round. They made on elite 8 in that stretch.

Norm teams were always solid ball clubs. They always contended in the Big 8/12, but year after year of disappointment in the tournament got to be too much. I am not saying Huggins would be that way, but if that is the best he can do for MIzzou I would prefer they kept looking.

[MizzouRah]

I can't believe you feel this way. You must not remember how frustrating the Norm Stewart days were. Between 86-99 Mizzou made the tourney 10 times. 10 out of 14 years isn't too shabby. They managed to go out in the first round 6 out of theose 10 times! 8 out of 10 times they were gone by the 2nd round. They made on elite 8 in that stretch.

Norm teams were always solid ball clubs. They always contended in the Big 8/12, but year after year of disappointment in the tournament got to be too much. I am not saying Huggins would be that way, but if that is the best he can do for MIzzou I would prefer they kept looking.

Are you kidding me? I guess I should hate LaRussa because we haven't won a World Series yet?

We should go to the dance every year, from there of course I'd like to win, but the competition is stiff.. but sitting at home doing nothing while March Madness is going on sucks BIG TIME!

[Galaxy]

Who are the boosters you mention?

[Blade6119]

I can't believe you feel this way. You must not remember how frustrating the Norm Stewart days were. Between 86-99 Mizzou made the tourney 10 times. 10 out of 14 years isn't too shabby. They managed to go out in the first round 6 out of theose 10 times! 8 out of 10 times they were gone by the 2nd round. They made on elite 8 in that stretch.

Norm teams were always solid ball clubs. They always contended in the Big 8/12, but year after year of disappointment in the tournament got to be too much. I am not saying Huggins would be that way, but if that is the best he can do for MIzzou I would prefer they kept looking.

Baby steps primelord...we need to work on just getting back into the dance every year, preferably with a high seed, before we start demanding titles and final fours. If huggins comes in for a short period of time(as has been suggested) and turns the ship around i think he is wonderful. We are not going to the final four in the next few years, ive come to terms with that. Right now we need to work on just becoming a perrenial tourney team again. Right now were not, so dont overshoot panerd.

[Blade6119]

Who are the boosters you mention?
The Walmart family for one

[primelord]

Baby steps primelord...we need to work on just getting back into the dance every year, preferably with a high seed, before we start demanding titles and final fours. If huggins comes in for a short period of time(as has been suggested) and turns the ship around i think he is wonderful. We are not going to the final four in the next few years, ive come to terms with that. Right now we need to work on just becoming a perrenial tourney team again. Right now were not, so dont overshoot panerd.

I can be on board with that if that is the actual plan. The problem is when you start winning 18 games a year and making the tourney on a fairly consistent basis people want to keep you around. There is always that promise that next year will finally be the year. Some coaches spend their entire careers in that range a la Norm.

I honestly don't know that much about Huggins. From what I am hearing he is a guy that can give us a quick boost, but probably can't take us all the way. If that is the case and he is a short term answer then that is cool. If we get another long term stretch of first round exists though I will be seriously bummed. :)

[sooner333]

I can be on board with that if that is the actual plan. The problem is when you start winning 18 games a year and making the tourney on a fairly consistent basis people want to keep you around. There is always that promise that next year will finally be the year. Some coaches spend their entire careers in that range a la Norm.

While We've been to a Final Four at least...welcome to the world of the University of Oklahoma and head coach Kelvin Sampson. Pretty much hit the nail on the head.

[Blade6119]

While We've been to a Final Four at least...welcome to the world of the University of Oklahoma and head coach Kelvin Sampson. Pretty much hit the nail on the head.
Isnt sampson out now? I know he wanted the Arizona State job and they didnt want him with his violations...i cant imagine hes at OU for long after saying he wanted another job

[sooner333]

Isnt sampson out now? I know he wanted the Arizona State job and they didnt want him with his violations...i cant imagine hes at OU for long after saying he wanted another job

He was on Rome and said that he wanted to retire at OU (well, I don't believe that, but it was in response to the ASU job, so it didn't sound like he wanted that one at least). He also said he had a great AD here, which is true. He's improved the facilities tremedously while he's been here and has a son as a walk-on, so it would be tough to leave.

However, the violations have a hearing in April as the NCAA didn't necessarily accept the in-house punishments. However, I doubt we'll see a postseason ban or a huge reduction in scholarships as the only violation was excessive phone calls.

[Wolfpack]

While We've been to a Final Four at least...welcome to the world of the University of Oklahoma and head coach Kelvin Sampson. Pretty much hit the nail on the head.

We don't even have that Final Four to hang our hat on, but welcome to Herb Sendek's tenth year at NC State.... 18-22 wins? Check. Whipped routinely by the in-state rivals? Check. Doing just enough to get by every...single...year.... Big fat check. :(

[Blade6119]

We don't even have that Final Four to hang our hat on, but welcome to Herb Sendek's tenth year at NC State.... 18-22 wins? Check. Whipped routinely by the in-state rivals? Check. Doing just enough to get by every...single...year.... Big fat check. :(
Watch your team stumble to mizzou's new level, of it being a great year if we make the tournament, and those 18-22 wins seasons seem a blessing...oh how i miss 5 years ago when we were an actual team

[Swaggs]

I was just reading in TSN that Huggins took Cincy to the NCAAs every year from 1991-2005. That is pretty impressive. It would be interesting to see what he could do at a school with much better resources.

[primelord]

There is a story on ESPN right now that Steve Alford may be on campus tomorrow night. That I would be all for.

[Blade6119]

Maybe im the only one, but i think altman(if hes the creighton guy) is not the right choice. He a small school huggins by the sound of things. Always has a good team, never takes them to the next level it seems to me. What do i know though

[Scarecrow]

If Mizzou wants to lose first round tournament games to teams with far less talent then Huggins is the man for the job...
Well, then they'd be as good as KU!!!! :D


(Paging SI in 3,2,1...)

[WSUCougar]

There is a story on ESPN right now that Steve Alford may be on campus tomorrow night. That I would be all for.
Yup, heard this morning that (a) Mizzou has recieved permission from Iowa to talk to Alford, and (b) neither Huggins or Majerus will be interviewed after all.

[MizzouRah]

Yup, heard this morning that (a) Mizzou has recieved permission from Iowa to talk to Alford, and (b) neither Huggins or Majerus will be interviewed after all.

Yep, me too. Would LOVE to see Alford coaching here.

[Blade6119]

Yep, me too. Would LOVE to see Alford coaching here.
How is he better then huggins? Iowa is always good, and never more...unless im missing something...

[kcchief19]

Cougar broke the news ... Jon Sunvold has said that Huggins and Majerus are both no longer under consideration for the job and he is not happy about it. Mike Alden apparently spoke with both of them and decided that neither were a good fit for Missouri given the sketchy elements of their pasts. Sunvold went over Alden's head to chancellor Brady Deaton to appeal for the chance to bring them in for an interview, but Sunvold said Deaton "wasn't comfortable" with Huggins or Majerus.

Interesting quote from Sunvold: “I respect Brady Deaton’s opinion. I wish they would have told us this four weeks ago. I went into this with an open mind and took a look at two guys that I might not have considered at first. But you look into the depths of two guys. I thought they would be two candidates that should be interviewed. That’s not going to happen.”

The Sampson rumor has been prevalent, in part because when Snyder stepped down Sampson did a radio interview here in KC where he said Missouri was the third best job in the Big XII behind Kansas and Texas because of the facilities and support. Most people viewed that as either a) code that he was interested in the job or b) a swipe at OU to pour some more money into basketball. I don't think there is any doubt Kelvin feels unappreciated at OU, and I've always like him as a coach -- I'd love to see him at Missouri.

But if Huggins and Majerus are too questionable, then you have to assume that Sampson and Calipari are out too. Sources at Iowa and Andy Katz say Alford will be interviewed today. The other candidates rumored to be at the top of the list are Beilein and Pitt's Jamie Dixon. There is apparently also interest in LSU's John Brady and UAB's Mike Anderson in addition to Altman.

[kcchief19]

I'm not sure I would say I love the idea of Alford. First, in addition to being a Tigers fan, I'm a Missouri State Bears fan, and the way Alford left there left some bitter feelings. He had said he was then Southwest Missouri State for the forseeable future, telling people he'd only leave for the Indiana job. Then like a thief in the night he bolts for Iowa after getting to the Sweet 16.

To a certain degree, I feel like he's only considering Missouri now that the Indiana door looks to be closed for ever. I'm not necessarily worried about Alford using Missouri as a stepping stone back to Indiana or another job, but I'm just not sure his heart is in it.

This has also been his best year at Iowa and he lost to both Iowa State and Northern Iowa before blowing chunks against Northwestern State. I think he succeeded this year in a somewhat watered down Big 10. I just don't think he's the "magic guy."

At this point, my top choice would still be Beilein, much to Swaggs chagrin.

[WSUCougar]

I haven't been following the Indiana situation very closely - why is Alford not replacing Davis?

[kcchief19]

I'm curious too ... is it the fact that he went to Iowa, the fact that he's a tie to the past (Knight) or the fact that he didn't set the world on fire at Iowa? All good reasons, but the answer could be revealing. Why would Missouri want a coach that Indiana doesn't want?

[panerd]

Do we really want to hire somebody who didn't even have us as their first choice? I believe this philosophy not only aplies to sports but also the real world. When Quin was hot the question was always whether he would bolt to Washington (or in our deluded minds at the time, Duke). I don't know if what I am reading about Belein or Calapari is actually true, but if so than both of them seem willing to leave very solid jobs to come to a dream job of sorts. Think about them leaving the Big East/top 15 or the #3 team in the country to come here. That has to put them in good with the fans and players right away. If Alford was hired I would always be wondering how long until he jumps on a better job?

[panerd]

Dola:

What always amazes me about this board is that I can have 100 times the conversation with only about 10 people (including KU fans) where over on Tigerboard with 1000's of fans I never read anything productive. I think Nick blew it over there when he made the logos defining what school you were from and gave the KU and NU fans pretty much free reign. There isn't much quality discourse over there any more.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Alford and Turgeon eliminated from consideration.....

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14160389.htm/

The timing is unbelievable. After a heavy downpour of criticism that they would even consider Alford (who Alden was backing), a news release is quickly created saying he's not a candidate after all. Crazy stuff.

[MizzouRah]

Alford and Turgeon eliminated from consideration.....

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14160389.htm/

The timing is unbelievable. After a heavy downpour of criticism that they would even consider Alford (who Alden was backing), a news release is quickly created saying he's not a candidate after all. Crazy stuff.

What in the f is going on over at Mizzou? They seriously need to blow that administration up and fast. I'm almost to the point that if Alden is not gone soon, I'm about done with Missouri sports. Man, I can't stand that pathetic f'n loser.

MIZZOU, blow that f'n administration up, all of it.

Believe me, my second favorite team, NC is not hard on the eyes nor the heart one bit.

[Blade6119]

Alford and Turgeon eliminated from consideration.....

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14160389.htm/

The timing is unbelievable. After a heavy downpour of criticism that they would even consider Alford (who Alden was backing), a news release is quickly created saying he's not a candidate after all. Crazy stuff.
I dont get what they are doing with all of these moves(all of the top canidates are getting turned down it seems), but im glad alford wont get it. He isnt the coach we want, or need for that matter.

[MizzouRah]

I dont get what they are doing with all of these moves(all of the top canidates are getting turned down it seems), but im glad alford wont get it. He isnt the coach we want, or need for that matter.

Why are you so set against Alford? The guy can recruit AND coach, period. I'm not sure what's going down in Indiana, but I think Alford would be just fine here at Missouri.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Why are you so set against Alford? The guy can recruit AND coach, period. I'm not sure what's going down in Indiana, but I think Alford would be just fine here at Missouri.

Alford was 52-60 in Big 10 play, has only one NCAA win in 3 trips to the NCAA tourney. In comparison, Quin Snyder had a 52% winning percentage in conference and had 6 wins in 4 visits to the NCAA tourney. Head to head with Quin, Alford was 1-4. Also, Quin had a great graduation rate. Alford finally had a good year for the first time this year and lost in the first round. Not exactly an upgrade from who you fired in the first place.

[John Galt]

Why are you so set against Alford? The guy can recruit AND coach, period. I'm not sure what's going down in Indiana, but I think Alford would be just fine here at Missouri.

Speaking as a Hawkeye fan, Alford neither recruits well nor has coaching skill. Please, take him. I beg you.

[hoopsguy]

As an Illinois fan, I hope that Alford stays in the Big Ten. But if he had to leave then Mizzou would be about as good a landing place for him as I could hope for ...

[kcchief19]

What in the f is going on over at Mizzou? They seriously need to blow that administration up and fast. I'm almost to the point that if Alden is not gone soon, I'm about done with Missouri sports. Man, I can't stand that pathetic f'n loser.

MIZZOU, blow that f'n administration up, all of it.
I have no clue. This Alford thing is just the latest step that makes the department look like a monkey fucking a football. It's maddening.

As I said before about Alford, take the "I'm stayin'" with a grain of salt -- Missouri State sent out the same press release a few days before he took the Iowa job. The man can't be trusted.

Here's a problem. There are five people on the seach committee -- Alden, Link, Sunvold and two other AD people. Alden and Sunvold clearly don't agree on direction. I don't know if it's merely because they don't like each other and intentional take the opposite stance of the other, but clearly they are not on the same page.

I don't know where they go from here. Huggins, Majerus and Alford are all apparently out. There's no word on moving on other candidates other than the aforementioned Altman rumors. But some of what I've heard and read is that Altman is further down on the wish list. But who exactly is ahead of him I don't know.

In other news, it looks like K-State's gotten to third base with Huggins. Some local media think it could be sealed as soon as tomorrow. If KSU bags Huggins, I think that's even more pressure on Missouri to get a name coach. You can let K-State get Huggins and then hire Barry freakin' Hinson.

[hoopsguy]

FWIW, back when Illinois was looking for a guy after Self left, we saw a lot of the same names that are being bandied about now. We ended up with Weber, over Thad Matta and Altman based on the reports I read.

The first two guys on that list have had nice starts upon moving to a bigger conference. Perhaps Altman can do the same if that is who you end up with at the end of the search.

[primelord]

Speaking as a Hawkeye fan, Alford neither recruits well nor has coaching skill. Please, take him. I beg you.

I'll admit I haven't followed Alford all that closely since he has been at Iowa, but I was at SMSU (now Missouri State) when he was coaching there and I think he can both recruit and coach. I agree with what Matt was saying about the bitter taste it left when he left, but at the same time SMSU had a run of several appearances in the NCAA tournament and all of that was from the foundation that Alford setup.

[miami_fan]

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9329296

Former Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins is considering an offer to become the new coach at Kansas State, CBS SportsLine.com learned Wednesday night.

Although a controversial figure, Huggins would be an ideal fit for a floundering Kansas State program that a.) needs a jolt of energy and legitimacy and b.) has always struggled to find mainstream recruits.

Huggins knows how to plumb junior colleges and other off-the-path places for talent, and he already has a handful of players ready to follow him anywhere -- most notably 7-foot-2 center Jason Bennett, a high school senior from Jacksonville, Fla. Huggins also would be the frontrunner to sign two of the top five players from the class of 2007, O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker from the Cincinnati suburb of North College Hill, Ohio.

Kansas State athletics director Tim Weiser has spent considerable time speaking with the NCAA and other sources about Huggins' background -- which has had equal parts smoke and fire -- and has been assured that Huggins would be a solid hire.

Cincinnati forced out Huggins in August after he lost a power struggle with president Nancy Zimpher. Huggins had hoped to land a higher-profile job this offseason -- most notably at Missouri or perhaps Arizona State -- but those schools are going in other directions.

[MizzouRah]

Alford was 52-60 in Big 10 play, has only one NCAA win in 3 trips to the NCAA tourney. In comparison, Quin Snyder had a 52% winning percentage in conference and had 6 wins in 4 visits to the NCAA tourney. Head to head with Quin, Alford was 1-4. Also, Quin had a great graduation rate. Alford finally had a good year for the first time this year and lost in the first round. Not exactly an upgrade from who you fired in the first place.

Wait and see what he does in Iowa.

[MizzouRah]

I'll admit I haven't followed Alford all that closely since he has been at Iowa, but I was at SMSU (now Missouri State) when he was coaching there and I think he can both recruit and coach. I agree with what Matt was saying about the bitter taste it left when he left, but at the same time SMSU had a run of several appearances in the NCAA tournament and all of that was from the foundation that Alford setup.

Glad you posted this. I would take him, no doubt about it.

[Mo.Raider]

I'll admit I haven't followed Alford all that closely since he has been at Iowa, but I was at SMSU (now Missouri State) when he was coaching there and I think he can both recruit and coach. I agree with what Matt was saying about the bitter taste it left when he left, but at the same time SMSU had a run of several appearances in the NCAA tournament and all of that was from the foundation that Alford setup.

Don't you mean the foundation that Charlie Spoonhour set up? ;) I agree I was disappointed also when he left because he did act as if he was really happy at SMSU and wanted to take it to the next level. By the way did you catch the game on ESPN tonight? Tough way to go down. I wonder if the new $60 million dollar center will help push Missouri State to the next level?

[sooner333]

Huggins to K-State is all but official, expect a news conference tomorrow.

[John Galt]

I'll admit I haven't followed Alford all that closely since he has been at Iowa, but I was at SMSU (now Missouri State) when he was coaching there and I think he can both recruit and coach. I agree with what Matt was saying about the bitter taste it left when he left, but at the same time SMSU had a run of several appearances in the NCAA tournament and all of that was from the foundation that Alford setup.

I think the problem was that he didn't get any better recruits than he did at SMS (which a Big Ten school should be able to do). There was an initial honeymoon effect (as there always is with an up and coming coach getting a big job). With that he got Recker to transfer there. Reggie Evans was a very nice JuCo transfer. Yet in their senior year, that team wayyyyyy underachieved. Since then, his recruiting has pretty much sucked. The only reason they did well this year was the seniority of the team. They managed to have all 6 players at the top of their rotation be experienced seniors or juniors (and they were experienced because of the other down years in recruiting). The most talented of the group is probably Haluska, and he was a lucky transfer from the fallout at Iowa State. All together, the Iowa teams under Alford were worse than the teams under Dr. Tom. Next year, the team will be lucky to win 15 games. The year after, 10 would be good.

Quinn may have sucked in many ways, but his recruiting was MUCH better than Alford's. His teams may have continually underachieved, but the talent was much higher than Iowa's during the time he was there.

And none of this brings up the significant character issues of Alford that were exposed in the Pierre Pierce nightmare.

I hope when the AD finally gets his act together at Missouri that he thinks like Todd and hires Alford. That way, Iowa can finally become a respectable basketball team again.

[Blade6119]

Has it been mentioned Mizzou is signing the UAB coach? Is he a good coach, dont know much about him....

[MizzouRah]

Has it been mentioned Mizzou is signing the UAB coach? Is he a good coach, dont know much about him....

Thanks for that find!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2384172

Not a bad choice, I don't think.

[miami_fan]

I think you are going to like Mike Anderson's style.

[kcchief19]

The KC Star is reporting the press conference is on for Sunday. Looks like it's a done deal.

On that front, I don't think it's a bad hire, but it's not the home run I think Missouri needed. I think he can win, but he's not the kind of guy I think can win immediately; I think next year will be a rough year.

Of bigger concern is the eroding fan base. I think KU was the only packed house this year, and there were more than a few games where I'll bet Mizzou Arena wasn't even half filled. Contrast that with K-State where I'll guarantee that the mere prescence of Huggins will put butts in the seats.

In other news, Stormin' Norman has done off on Mike Alden -- 'bout freakin' time. He said he think Alden's days are number and he couldn't faul that decision. That prompted rumors in KC media that the Board of Curators was considerig letting go of Alden during their meeting on Friday.

You always knew norman would get the final word.

[MizzouRah]

I would kiss Norman if Alden is finally gone.

[JeeberD]

Bad news for CUSA...

[Blade6119]

Bad news for CUSA...
Why? Do you not think hes a good coach?

[JeeberD]

Yeah, I do think he's a good coach. That's why it's bad news. If the conference is going to be taken seriously then the better teams need to keep their coaches around...

[Blade6119]

Yeah, I do think he's a good coach. That's why it's bad news. If the conference is going to be taken seriously then the better teams need to keep their coaches around...
Ah, ok. I thought you meant bad news in the terms a good coach would take over. Now im happy if jeeber endorses him, jeeber never endorses anyone;)

[miami_fan]

Associated Press


COLUMBIA, Mo. -- From Truman the Tiger to pompom-shaking cheerleaders, the backdrop for Missouri's unveiling of new men's basketball coach Mike Anderson at Mizzou Arena Sunday afternoon was pure celebration.


For embattled athletic director Mike Alden -- who hours earlier seemingly survived efforts to fire him -- relief may be the operative word.


A grim-faced group of university leaders, joined on speaker phone by Missouri curators from across the state, spent two-and-a-half hours behind closed doors during an emergency meeting to discuss unspecified personnel matters.


The topic of discussion, according to numerous media reports, was the fate of Alden, who has been under consistent public fire since mid-February over the handling of former men's basketball coach Quin Snyder's resignation.


After the curators' meeting, system President Elson Floyd declined comment, but spokesman Joe Moore said no vote was taken. And University of Missouri-Columbia chancellor Brady Deaton, who attended the meeting, said Alden is still on the job.


Two hours later, Anderson, a former Arkansas assistant lured from the top job at Alabama-Birmingham, spoke glowingly of Alden, his new boss.


"I have the utmost confidence in Mike Alden," Anderson told reporters and fans. "I see some great days ahead. And it's going to be under the leadership of Mike Alden."


When he resigned in early February with six regular-season games to go, Snyder said he was forced out by Alden, receiving the news from Gary Link, a Tiger broadcaster and Alden assistant. Alden has denied that account, and two university investigations stopped short of verifying Snyder's charge.


On Sunday, Alden called the talk of his possible ouster a "distraction" that takes a back seat to the announcement of Anderson's hiring.…


"My focus hasn't been on that really at all, to be honest with you," he said. "My focus has been and will continue to be on doing the best job I can possibly do as the athletic director of this institution."


Alden clearly has the support of Deaton, his boss, who before introducing Anderson hailed the athletic director for bringing the coaching search "to a successful completion."


"We cannot be any more satisfied with the outcome," Deaton said.


Anderson, the first permanent black head coach in a major sport at Missouri, signed a five-year contract, said Alden, who declined to immediately release the terms of the contract.


Anderson, 46, is a former assistant to Nolan Richardson at Arkansas and played for Richardson at Tulsa.


As head coach at UAB for four years, Anderson had an 89-41 record with three NCAA Tournament appearances. UAB was 24-7 this season and lost to Kentucky 69-64 in the first round of the tournament.


After Anderson's introduction, Deaton reiterated that Alden remains in his good graces.


"We're charging ahead," he said. "Mike is athletic director and has done a great job. … We couldn't be any happier."


Alden took over the Missouri athletics department in 1998 after leading the athletics department at Southwest Texas State University the previous two years.


Under his watch, the department's operating budget, $13.7 million when he took over, has nearly tripled.


And by most accounts, Alden has excelled at fundraising, a vital part of any athletics director's job. Most notably, he helped secure a $25 million donation from Bill and Nancy Laurie and $35 million in state bonds to help build the new basketball arena.


Anderson would not discuss whether he was given any assurances as to Alden's long-term future before taking the basketball job. He also declined to say whether his choice would have been different had Alden been ousted earlier Sunday.


Asked whether Alden had the support of curators, who are political appointees, Deaton replied: "I'll let the curators speak for themselves."


Those curators aren't talking, though. Several curators contacted by The Associated Press Sunday night either declined comment or did not immediately return telephone calls.


I wonder how many of Anderson's current recruits who have not signed with UAB are now going to head to Missouri.

[kcchief19]

If you want to read some excellent coverage of the happenings at Missouri, check out the The KC Star's Web site at www.kansascity.com (http://www.kansascity.com). Some excellent stories today, including a columny by Joe Posnanski that really captures the current chaos of the athletic department.

I'm still not sure how to judge the hire. I think Anderson is a good coach. I think his system can be successful with an empty cupboard since you don't necessarily have to have a lot of talent, just guys with stamina who can run. I worry that what's left in the cupboard at Mizzou are not guys who fit that profile. I have a hard time seeing Matt Lawrence playing 40 minutes of hell. I'm also disappointed that we didn't get a coach of the "marquee" value of Huggins who is already selling tickets in Manhattan. I don't see people getting pumped up to buy season tickets today. Anderson may very well end up being the perfect coach for us and I hope he will, but I'm not completely confident.

If you want to read an example of why Jason Whitlock is the most idiotic, overrated, useless "writer" in newspapers today, check out his column. I haven't seen anyone demonstrate less understanding of the situation at Missouri and the internal politics. But this is the kicker:
It’s not bad luck. It’s bad leadership.
Tyus Edney, the fifth down, the flea-kicker, the premature NCAA Tournament exits under Norm, Tony VanZant, the contract extensions, Stipo shooting himself, the jailhouse tapes and all the other hard-to-forget blunders and mishaps were in some small way a product of Missouri’s overall horrendous leadership.

A shot at the buzzer, Tony Van Zant's blown out knee in his final high school game and Steve Stipanovic accidentally shooting himself 25 years ago are due to the bad leadership of the Board of Curators, the longest tenured member of which has been there since 2001. That's right -- Derek Grimm failing to block Edney's shot is due to a Board of Curator member appointed six years later.

What a dumbass.

[miami_fan]

I am not familiar with the entire Quinn error at Mizzou. Was there a problem with him ripping the school?

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- New Missouri basketball coach Mike Anderson will earn a minimum of $850,000 annually over the next five years -- as long as he "agrees to be a loyal employee" and doesn't bad-mouth the school.

Those clauses are just some of the conduct requirements spelled out in the 22-page employment contract, which was signed Monday and released to The Associated Press on Tuesday through the state's public records laws.

Anderson, who comes to Missouri after four years as Alabama-Birmingham coach, will also be expected to:

• "maintain a mature and rational attitude, keep emotions in control and downplay defeats";

• "establish and maintain a frequent and systematic program of personal communication with the university's administration, faculty, staff and student body";

• "keep public statements complimentary to the athletic program and the university";

• make a minimum of 30 public appearances annually at booster lunches, alumni dinners and similar community events.

No such behavioral requirements, nor a stipulated minimum number of public appearances, are found in the contracts of either Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel or Anderson's predecessor, Quin Snyder, who resigned in mid-February with six regular season games remaining.

Anderson's base salary is less than the $1.015 million a year Snyder earned before he left during his seventh season at Missouri. But the new coach's contract is loaded with more incentives than Snyder had, including an extra $10,000 for reaching at least 20 wins against Division I opponents and $25,000 for drawing at least 10,000 paying fans on average to Mizzou Arena.

Anderson will be allowed up to $20,000 each year in discretionary expenses. He receives a free membership to the Country Club of Missouri and the use of two courtesy cars donated by local dealers -- one fewer than Snyder had.

Should he reach all outlined goals, Anderson's yearly salary with incentives would climb to $1.465 million -- a sizable increase from his base annual salary of $600,000 at UAB.

University officials were not available Tuesday to discuss the contract.

Among the criticisms of Snyder, who came to Missouri after serving as Mike Krzyzewski's top assistant at Duke, was his inaccessibility. Critics complained that Snyder, a native of Washington state, didn't blend in well in the Midwest, unlike his successor Norm Stewart, a Missouri native.

An external investigation of the circumstance surrounding Snyder's resignation attributed some of the tension between Alden and Snyder -- by the time Snyder quit the two weren't even on speaking terms -- to Snyder's resistance to public appearances "in which Alden thought he should participate."

Anderson, 46, is a former assistant to Nolan Richardson at Arkansas and played for Richardson at Tulsa.

He had an 89-41 record at UAB with three NCAA Tournament appearances. The team was 24-7 this season and lost to Kentucky 69-64 in the first round of the tournament.

Anderson was introduced as Missouri's new head coach on Sunday _ just hours after Missouri curators met behind closed doors to consider firing Alden over his role in the Snyder resignation.

Snyder has said Alden sent Tiger broadcaster Gary Link, also an Alden assistant, to deliver an ultimatum: Quit now or be fired at season's end. Alden denied that account, and two university investigations stopped short of assigning blame.

The incentives in Anderson's contract include an extra $25,000 should the Tigers win either the Big 12 Conference regular season title or its year-end tournament; $25,000 if Anderson's players meet established academic goals; $100,000 if average paid attendance at Mizzou Arena exceeds 13,000; an extra $25,000 if the team reaches the Sweet 16; $100,000 for reaching the Final Four; and an additional $250,000 if Anderson's team wins the national championship.

Missouri also will pay $300,000 to buy out his contract at UAB. And should Anderson be fired without cause, he would receive liquidated damages worth $500,000 for each year remaining in his contract.

If Anderson were to leave Missouri early, he would owe the school $250,000 for each year remaining on his contract.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/ncaa/03/28/bc.bkc.missouri.anderson.ap/index.html