Columbia, Missouri – The University of Missouri Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to approve a contract extension through the 2028-29 season for the Witten family’s men’s basketball coach. Dennis Gates.
“When he came here, Dennis Gates Michael Williams, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, has talked about building a tournament culture, and he is doing just that. “He is an individual with high standards and a clear vision for our student-athletes. It has been an exceptional season, and the Board is very excited to watch our program build on this success.”
The Jets, whose original contract ran through the 2027-28 season, will see his annual salary increase to $4 million in 2023-24, with a $100,000 increase each season during the term of the revised agreement. All other terms of his original contract remain the same.
“Thank you to the Board of Trustees, President Moon Choi and Desiree Reed-Francois for the opportunity to continue to lead Missouri basketball,” Gates said. “The city of Columbia is my home, my family loves it here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. My staff have done a tremendous job in supporting and building my dreams on the great traditions of Mizu. I am proud to be a Tiger and coach at this amazing institution.”
“Coach Jets has changed Mizu basketball in less than one season,” said University of Missouri President Moon Choi. “His daring and strategic coaching methods have built a team that embodies the grit and determination of our university. Under his guidance, his players have been successful both on the court and in the classroom. Every fan is passionate about Mizzou’s basketball direction, and we will all enjoy cheering on him.” Dennis Gates And our team to the next NCAA Tournament.”
“We are on an upward trajectory with Coach Gates leading the men’s basketball program,” said Desiree Reed-François, director of athletics at MU. “We’ve seen the program’s immediate results with wins on the court, setting records in the classroom and creating enthusiasm in our community. Coach Gates has been candid about his goals of winning championships and hanging banners at Mizzou Arena and I believe we’re on that path under his leadership.”
Gates enjoyed one of the best seasons as a Mizzou head coach, leading the Tigers to 24 victories, the second-most for a first-year head coach. USA Today named him the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in 2023. Missouri, which was selected 11th in the preseason SEC poll, matched its best record since joining the league in 2012-13 at 11-7, earning a double bye and a seed 4 in the conference tournament before advancing to the SEC Semifinals in Mizzou History on Friday.
With a renewed management focus on the fan experience, the Tigers sold out seven games, the second most in Mizzou Arena history, and averaged 11,377 fans per game, fourth in the SEC. The 62.6 percent increase in attendance from 2021 to 22 is the highest jump nationally among Power 6 schools.
Of the 24 men’s basketball coaches who have joined the SEC since 2012-2013, the Jets’ 24 wins this season is the most for a first-year head coach in the league since John Calipari won 35 games in his first season at Kentucky (2009-2010). . ).
Academically, men’s basketball posted its highest GPA in the fall semester of 2022 with three student-athletes achieving a 4.0, four earning a spot on the Dean’s List and 13 earning a 3.0 GPA or higher. Kobe Brown He was named the 2023 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the first person ever so honored in the program.
The Tigers (24-8) are back in action Saturday in the semifinals of the SEC tournament against top seed Alabama. The game kicks off in Nashville, Tennessee at noon CT and is broadcast on ESPN and the Tiger Radio Network.
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