ESPN: Mizzou targeting Cleveland State men’s basketball coach

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

ESPN's Pete Thamel is reporting that Cleveland State's Dennis Gates has emerged as the target in Missouri's men's basketball search.

Mizzou fired former Head Coach Cuonzo Martin, who went 12–21 this year and 78-77 in his five seasons at Missouri.

Gates won back-to-back Horizon League regular-season titles at Cleveland State, and took his team to the NCAA tournament in 2021. The head coach holds a 50-40 overall record at Cleveland State, going 38-21 in league play.

Gates has 16 years of Division I coaching experience and spent the previous eight seasons on Leonard Hamilton’s staff at Florida State before joining Cleveland State.

Gates assistant career also saw him have a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, as a skill development coach.

During his time at Florida State, Gates has helped recruit multiple top-100 players including future NBA lottery pick Jonathan Isaac.