Missouri names Anderson head coach

Apr 28, 2014 - 9:14 PM Columbia, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Kim Anderson, who guided Central Missouri to a Division II national championship a month ago, has accepted an offer to become the head men's basketball coach at the University of Missouri.

Anderson, a Missouri alum and former Tigers player, returns to his alma mater after amassing a 274-94 record over 12 seasons at Central Missouri and directing the Mules to seven NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, including three Final Four trips. CMU went 30-5 in 2013-14 and captured the second national title in program history with an 84-77 win over West Liberty in the championship game.

"I'm honored and humbled to have the opportunity to return to Mizzou and lead a program that our family is so vested in," said Anderson in a statement. We have a lot of work ahead of us and that work starts today, but as a Missourian I embrace this challenge and look forward to bringing championship basketball back to Norm Stewart Court and Mizzou Arena."

Anderson replaces Frank Haith, who resigned on April 18 to become the head coach at Tulsa.

Haith won 76 games over three seasons with the Tigers and led Missouri to a pair of NCAA Tournament berths, but the team was ousted in its first game in both those years. The Tigers reached the NIT this past season with a 24-12 record amidst high expectations.

"When we took over in Warrensburg 12 years ago, we faced an uphill battle. We had support, we had a winning history and great campus leadership, but the program had lost its identity. I see that same opportunity here at Missouri," said Anderson.

Prior to taking over at Central Missouri in 2003, Anderson spent two stints (1982-85, 1991-99) as an assistant at Missouri under longtime head coach Norm Stewart. The 58-year-old also served in an assistant's role at Baylor from 1985-91.

As a player, Anderson scored 1,289 career points as a Tiger and was named the 1976-77 Big Eight Player of the Year. He was selected by Portland in the second round of the 1977 NBA Draft and played in 21 games with the Trail Blazers.

"I am excited that Kim Anderson will lead our men's basketball program moving forward, and I welcome him back to Mizzou" said Missouri chancellor Bowen Loftin. "Kim is a tremendous teacher and coach with a proven track record as a winner, both as a player and as a person. More importantly, his integrity and values-centered approach will help us recruit elite student-athletes who will win championships and make us proud both on and off of the court."