Former Missouri coach Mike Anderson is officially the new head man at Arkansas.
The former Nolan Richardson assistant will reportedly receive $2.2 million per year over seven years. Arkansas won the 1994 national title with Richardson as head coach and Anderson as an assistant.
“We are extremely excited to welcome home Mike Anderson to the University of Arkansas as our new head men’s basketball coach,” Arkansas AD Jeff Long said. “Mike is one of the outstanding head coaches in college basketball. His teams play an exciting brand of basketball that has already proven successful at both UAB and Missouri.
“Under Mike’s leadership, I am confident the Razorbacks will be successful in the future on and off the court. The decision to hire Mike Anderson as head coach is based on my firm belief that he is the right person to lead the Razorback program today and in the years to come.”
Sports by Brooks reported that after Anderson informed Missouri he was leaving, the school removed the sign marking his personal parking space.
The same outlet later said the Missouri SID said the sign had been “stolen.”
Steve Walentik of the Columbia Daily Tribune reported that Anderson’s buyout at Missouri was $500,000.
“It is a tremendous honor to be named the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas,” said Anderson, a Birmingham, Ala., native. “I want to thank Chancellor (Dave) Gearhart and Athletic Director Jeff Long for this opportunity to lead the Razorback Basketball program. I am extremely excited to once again be a part of this special University and Razorback Athletics. With the continued passionate support of all Razorback fans, I am confident that we will have the opportunity to succeed on and off the court and continue to build on the University of Arkansas’ championship tradition.”
Anderson led the Tigers to three NCAA tournament appearances, including a loss in the Elite Eight in 2009.
The Tigers qualified for the tournament this year and fell to Cincinnati in a first-round game last weekend in Washington, D.C. The Tigers were a 8-8 in the Big 12.
Anderson replaces John Pelphrey, who was fired March 13 after four seasons in which he posted a 69-59 record, including an 18-13 mark this season.
TheRise / March 23, 2011
Does this mean that Kansas lost Ben, to Missouri?
We think so.
Missouri commits are asking for an unconditional release, on the LOI.
And some Arkansas commits will look elsewhere.
Hunter Mickelson is not a good match for this coach.
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TheRise / March 23, 2011
Weak Coast fans (this is what Duke is saying.about West Coast Fans)
Q. As you look toward tomorrow you’ve got some teams local that are expecting to have a fan base here, you guys may not have as big of a following here, does that make a difference to you, playing in front of a crowd that might not be in your corner?
NOLAN SMITH:
Not at all, especially for Kyle and myself and a lot of guys on the team, we played Baylor in Houston and Butler in Indianapolis, but we will always have a fair share of Duke fans when we play, but we’re ready to get out on the court and play for the Duke fans in the building. We always have a great support.
More support than the Weak Coast fans
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DocBean / March 24, 2011
Looks like JessieWildcat is back. Why are you calling yourself TheRise now? Did you get banned?
Is it because you have a multiple personality disorder?
Is that why you say “We think so” when no one else in the world thinks Ben is going to Missouri?
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JonHuskyMS / March 24, 2011
its def JW, and he def got banned, but don’t blow up his spot. He’s both funny and insightful.
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