Fans react to possibility of Coach Frank Haith leaving

University of Missouri men’s basketball coach Frank Haith is a polarizing figure.

Many Tiger fans wanted him gone after this past season, even though he’s only two years removed from a Big 12 Tournament title.

ABC 17 News talked to many alumni, who were split on if they were surprised he might be leaving or not.

“I’m surprised by it but after the lack of enthusiasm on the court our players showed this season, I’m not disappointed,” MU alumni Kami Griffith said.

“As a Tiger fan, we couldn’t done better so I’m not disappointed in the loss,” another alumni, Jeremy Deter, agreed.

Even though nothing is confirmed yet for Haith to leave for the University of Tulsa, fans are already speculating about the move.

“He’s probably getting a million dollars out of the deal,” Deter said.

“If he doesn’t have a good year next year, he’d really be in the hot seat, so he was probably trying to control his own destiny,” Tiger fan Bob Steinmetz said.

And they even had ideas for who they would want to coach next, if the Tigers do end up needing a new coach.

“I think the Dayton coach who just had a good run would be good,” Steinmetz said.

“Phil Jackson. Leave the Knicks and come here,” Griffith said.

“We need someone who will make us excited to watch basketball again, and Frank Haith is not doing it,” MU alumni Curtis Reeder said.

Haith coach for three seasons. This is his first year not making it to the NCAA tournament.