Ten days of non-stop rumors became trumors Wednesday evening as Arkansas athletics director Jeff Long announced Mike Anderson as the new head men’s basketball coach.
Anderson had been the coach at Missouri since 2006.
“We are extremely excited to welcome home Mike Anderson to the University of Arkansas as our new head men’s basketball coach,” said Long in a statement released by the university. “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.”
To be fair, the rumors began before former coach John Pelphrey was fired on March 13. But it was an easy rumor to buy into given that Anderson spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach under the “40 Minutes of Hell” style of play that fans have been crying for since Nolan Richardson’s departure in 2002.
“It is a tremendous honor to be named the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas,” Anderson said. “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’s overall record is 200-98 in 9 seasons as a head coach at Alabama-Birmingham and Missouri. He has made the NCAA tournament 5 times, reached the Sweet 16 twice, and the Elite Eight once.
» Read the full announcement at ArkansasRazorbacks.com
Mike Anderson Coaching History
March 23, 2011 – Head Coach – Arkansas
2006-11 – Head Coach – Missouri
2002-06 – Head Coach – Alabama-Birmingham
1985-02 – Assistant Head Coach/Part-Time Assistant – Arkansas
1982-85 – Volunteer Assistant Coach – Tulsa
Head Coaching Records
Missouri
2010-11 – 23-10 (.697) – NCAA First Round
2009-10 – 23-11 (.676) – NCAA Second Round
2008-09 – 31-7 (.816) – NCAA Elite 8, Big 12 Tournament Champions
2007-08 – 16-16 (.500)
2006-07 – 18-12 (.600)
Alabama-Birmingham
2005-06 – 24-7 (.774) – NCAA First Round
2004-05 – 22-11 (.667) – NCAA Second Round
2003-04 – 22-10 (.688) – NCAA Sweet 16, C-USA regular season co-champions
2002-03 – 21-13 (.618) – NIT Quarterfinals
