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Kim Anderson Named Missouri Head Basketball Coach

For real this time, we promise.

By Jack Peglow
Howdy, new guy.
Howdy, new guy.
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Our long, arduous ride has finally reached it's end. For better or worse, Kim Anderson will be the next head coach at the University of Missouri. He'll be sworn in tomorrow at 10am CST.

I'll admit that I'm a bit underwhelmed by the decision, but I'll be withholding judgement until I actually have something to judge. Whether you agree with the hire or not, you have to admire how well the search was handled by Mike Alden.

According to Jason King at Bleacher Report, Gregg Marshall was in talks with Mizzou officials, but the two sides couldn't come together.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Sounds like it would&#39;ve taken a Pinkel-sized contract to get Marshall. We s&#39;posed to be SEC now, can&#39;t pay no hoopty coach footbawl money.</p>&mdash; Jack Peglow (@ArmchairAnlyst) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArmchairAnlyst/statuses/460894869775323136">April 28, 2014</a></blockquote>


Some quotes from Dave Matter over at the Post-Dispatch:

"We are pleased and excited to have Kim Anderson leading our program," director of athletics Mike Alden said said in a prepared statement released 40 minutes after the UM System Board of Curators adjourned its meeting to approve Anderson's contract. Terms of the contract will be released Tuesday.

"He’s a man of great character, integrity and respect," Alden added. "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."

"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. "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."

This kabuki dance is over. We now know who will lead our Tigers next year. Welcome to Columbia, Coach Anderson, and good luck.

-- Update --

It looks like Alden's next course of action will be keeping Tim Fuller in Columbia. There's some conflicting information floating around on how successful that endeavor will be.

It seems to be generally agreed upon that Anderson's success may hinge upon assembling a solid supporting cast. Locking down Fuller would certainly go a long way towards doing that.

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