Anderson named MU men’s basketball coach
The University of Missouri announced Monday that former University of Central Missouri head basketball coach Kim Anderson will become Mizzou’s 18th men’s basketball coach.
Anderson is coming off a 30-5 record with the University of Central Missouri Mules and the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship.
“We are pleased and excited to have Kim Anderson leading our program,” Alden said in a news release. “He’s a man of great character, integrity and respect. He has demonstrated the ability to mentor young men on and off the court, academically and socially. He’s a proven winner on all levels, and he’s built tremendous relationships around the country in the basketball community, which assists greatly with recruiting and other important aspects for a program. Lastly, the fact that he’s a Missouri Tiger at heart is important, he is committed to Mizzou and has a passion to build a program of which all Tiger fans will be proud,” said MU Athletics Director Mike Alden in that release.
Anderson worked under Coach Norm Stewart as a graduate assistant from 1982-1985 and helped the program to the Elite Eight in 1983.
“I’m honored and humbled to have the opportunity to return to Mizzou and lead a program that our family is so vested in,” Anderson said in a statement after accepting the head coaching position Monday afternoon. “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. We have great leadership with Dr. Loftin and Mike Alden, and I know we have a passionate fan base. 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,” said Anderson.
Anderson spent 12 seasons at UCM and won nearly 75% of his games over more than 10 years of work, winning 274 games to 94 losses.
In addition to being one of the top 10 winningest coaches in Division II history, Anderson resigns his spot in Warrensburg as the school’s all-time winningest coach.
Anderson will be introduced Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Reynolds Alumni Center. Fans are welcomed to attend this event.
