Mike Anderson is no longer in the building. The Missouri Tigers coach is now the former Missouri Tigers coach after he decided to bolt for the Arkansas Razorbacks on Wednesday night. Anderson's departure creates a rather large void -- Mizzou needs a coach.
The Tigers program is on the rise over the last five years and, while it may not be a destination job, it's still attractive. If I were a coaching candidate, I'd notice Columbia, Mo. has ties to both Kansas City and St. Louis, two cities from which to recruit. I'd notice MIzzou's strong facilities and campus experience. I'd also notice the ability to win immediately as the Tigers lose just one senior (as of now), which is very important for a new coach.
On the downside, I'd notice there's not much after the incoming seniors leave so a new foundation would have to be built. I'd also notice that Mizzou isn't a destination school.
So which candidates are out there that could handle the good and bad of Mizzou?
If history is any indication, AD Mike Alden may lean to someone from a mid-major that has assistant experience in a major conference. As SB Nation's Rock M Nation points out, Alden hasn't made a bad hire since Quin Snyder in 1999 (and even then, he was a good hire for a while).
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggests Georgia's Mark Fox, Purdue's Matt Painter, Northern Iowa's Ben Jacobson and Missouri State's Cuonzo Martin. Others may include VCU's Shaka Smart, Marquette's Buzz Williams and Wichita State's Gregg Marshall, just to name a few.
The truth is we don't know if any of these guys are on Alden's wish list. We should be finding out soon, though.