Mizzou hoops coach Dennis Gates hires third assistant
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou men's basketball coach Dennis Gates hired his third assistant coach on Thursday afternoon. Former John A. Logan College head coach Kyle Smithpeters will officially join the MU staff.
"He is a great teacher, evaluator, and recruiter. I have had a front row seat for 15 years watching him prepare for this opportunity, but also build John A. Logan College into the power it is today," Gates said in a press release. "After attempting to hire Coach Smithpeters three years ago, I am excited to see him join the greats who have made this transition before him."
Smithpeters will join the Tigers after spending ten seasons as the head coach of the John A. Logan Volunteers. In his stint as head coach he put together an overall record of 241-73 all time, which includes eight 20-win seasons and three-straight NJCAA National Tournament Sweet 16 appearances.
The new MU assistant also coached seven NJCAA All-Americans in his time with the Volunteers, including recent Mizzou commitment Sean East. The point guard was also named NJCAA Player of the Year under Smithpeters' direction.
"I have known Coach Gates for the better part of 15 years and his integrity and work ethic are at the highest standards," Smithpeters said. "The opportunity to join a veteran staff at such a fine university was hard to pass up."
Smithpeters began his coaching career at Southeastern Illinois before heading to John A. Logan College, where he first served as an assistant for four years before becoming the head coach. He also worked under head coach Paul Lusk at Missouri State for one season.
