Dennis Gates makes first hire as Mizzou’s head coach; Charlton Young joins the staff

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou head basketball coach Dennis Gates has officially pegged Charlton "C.Y." Young as the first member of his staff. Young will serve as the associate head coach.

The former Florida State assistant will comes to Columbia with nearly 30 years of coaching experience, including one previous job as a head coach. Young worked under Gates' mentor, Leonard Hamilton, at Florida State for nine seasons. He has been a part of eight NCAA Tournament runs, two regular-season conference championships, and 13 NBA Draft picks.

"I am sincerely thankful to president Mun Y. Choi and Desiree Reed-Francois, our Director of Athletics," said Young said in a press release on Friday. "Their belief in Coach Gates and his ability to create a winning culture at the University of Missouri is one of the main reasons I am so excited about becoming part of this family. The opportunity to align with the administration and work alongside Coach Gates to make Missouri an annual NCAA Championship contender is very exciting."

The Mizzou men's basketball team will host a press conference to introduce Young on Friday at 11 a.m.