Mike Anderson was formally introduced as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday afternoon in front of Arkansas fans publicly for the first time since being named their coach.
Anderson held a press conference and answered questions. One of the questions was asked by a KOMU reporter out of Columbia, who asked why Anderson has not explained his decision to leave Mizzou directly to Tigers fans and alum.
Anderson said he did so in his press release.
Here is what somebody wrote, on behalf of Mike Anderson, regarding his departure. I assume somebody else wrote it because I haven't heard the man say it.
When rumors began to flail about Anderson possibly leaving Mizzou, I clamored that the loss would devastate a program that has benefited from his discipline, hard-work, and integrity.
You can throw the integrity part out the window.
Real men address their decisions publicly. They don't shy away from a legitimate question by referencing a press release.
Prior to Saturday, you could argue that Mike Anderson should be remembered as a integral part of of Missouri basketball history. But now, with his cowardly calls to "come home to Arkansas" and lack of respect for the University of Missouri and their fans, he has basically made himself irrelevant in my book.
It is unbelievable that Anderson lacks the decency to do a direct interview and answer the fair questions reporters out of Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis have and deserve.
Mizzou fans deserve answers. They should get closure from the leader they believed in and supported over the past 5 seasons.
A stand up adult would understand that he is obligated to do so. He owes it to the school, to himself, and most importantly, to his players to have a public explanation. A public thank you.
Once considered to be classy by many, Anderson has shown throughout this entire process that he is anything but.
And its a shame, because in this corner of cyber space, I was 100% on board with the program Anderson was building at Mizzou.
Finally, I'd like to thank Mr. Anderson.
Not for his revival of the Mizzou basketball program.
But for making it so easy for us Mizzou fans to move on.
Sources:
Anderson held a press conference and answered questions. One of the questions was asked by a KOMU reporter out of Columbia, who asked why Anderson has not explained his decision to leave Mizzou directly to Tigers fans and alum.
Anderson said he did so in his press release.
Here is what somebody wrote, on behalf of Mike Anderson, regarding his departure. I assume somebody else wrote it because I haven't heard the man say it.
“I would like to thank Athletic Director Mike Alden, Chancellor Brady Deaton and Deputy Chancellor Michael Middleton for their support during my five years at the University of Missouri. I am also grateful to the student-athletes, coaches, staff, students and the Tiger fans that were a part of helping us bring winning basketball back to the University of Missouri. Together, we enjoyed tremendous success. My family and I will always be thankful for the opportunity we had to be at the University of Missouri.”What a coward. What a complete embarrassment.
When rumors began to flail about Anderson possibly leaving Mizzou, I clamored that the loss would devastate a program that has benefited from his discipline, hard-work, and integrity.
You can throw the integrity part out the window.
Real men address their decisions publicly. They don't shy away from a legitimate question by referencing a press release.
Prior to Saturday, you could argue that Mike Anderson should be remembered as a integral part of of Missouri basketball history. But now, with his cowardly calls to "come home to Arkansas" and lack of respect for the University of Missouri and their fans, he has basically made himself irrelevant in my book.
It is unbelievable that Anderson lacks the decency to do a direct interview and answer the fair questions reporters out of Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis have and deserve.
Mizzou fans deserve answers. They should get closure from the leader they believed in and supported over the past 5 seasons.
A stand up adult would understand that he is obligated to do so. He owes it to the school, to himself, and most importantly, to his players to have a public explanation. A public thank you.
Once considered to be classy by many, Anderson has shown throughout this entire process that he is anything but.
And its a shame, because in this corner of cyber space, I was 100% on board with the program Anderson was building at Mizzou.
Finally, I'd like to thank Mr. Anderson.
Not for his revival of the Mizzou basketball program.
But for making it so easy for us Mizzou fans to move on.
Sources:
Mr. Rudd, can you tell me how common it is for coaches to publicly address the fan base they are leaving before they appear in a press conference for their new school? How is Anderson a coward for doing what basically every other coach in America does when they take a new job? And why vilify the man who repaired your garbage basketball program? Arkansas is Coach Anderson's home, and I doubt he would have left Columbia for any other place in America. Now dry those tears and try to write a real piece of sports journalism instead of this rambling, whiney excuse for an article.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous. Maybe I am whining. You are possibly correct.
ReplyDeleteBut I have been a huge Anderson supporter and believe in everything he "was" doing in Columbia. I though Mizzou giving him a raise was the right thing to do. See the link.
http://www.stlsportsminute.com/2011/03/just-5-minutes-anderson-gets-deserved.html
But, Anderson handled this departure so poorly. It really left a bad taste in my mouth. I thought Mizzou was home for former Coach Anderson.
Because he told Mizzou fans that it was two weeks ago. He said that himself.
Huge Mizzou Fan and Huge Anderson supporter. Before he chose to leave, I was hoping he wouldnt. Now that he's gone, I was no longer frusterated....He has some basketball ties all over the south and has brought in some good players because of that, but how many top 100 recruits can he know personally? I dont think he was a great recruiter, and I think this years team lacked discipline and an identity. There seemed to be a lack of trust between a few of the players and those situations were never resolved....I began to doubt Andersons "greatness" for the first time in the middle of Big 12 play....and after that showing against Cincinatti, it was clear he didnt build a team this year. I wish him the best, but I look forward to a coach with better recruiting skills and a coach that can control the way his team plays a little better than CMA.
ReplyDeleteTerrible recruiter anyways, if the kid wasn't related to him he couldn't get him. Was never going to take us to the Final Four either, teams were starting to understand how to exploit his system and it's lack of defense/rebounding.
ReplyDeleteThe article and comments both feel like sour grapes. Editorial Journalism is many things but the most Important is consistent. If you hate something on Monday, Tuesday should be the same. Rush limbaugh, bill orielly, etc do not cater there opinions to sell papers. There opinions are valued not for truth but for the passion of there convictions. Please do not call Mike Anderson a man of integrity before his decision and a coward after. The only coward in the end is you. Mike Anderson is a man. A man who was pushed between a future he didn't think possible with a present that was clearly satisfying enough. Just like anyone else who has the chance, he made it. Let's not make him a patron saint or the devil and call him human!
ReplyDeletePo
Hello Po. Thanks for reading and appreciate your comments.
ReplyDeleteI supported Mike Anderson and the everything he was doing at Mizzou. My original article about Mizzou doing the right thing in ponying up to keep Anderson was directed towards those who were wanting him to leave. I was in the minority at that time, preaching how important Anderson was to the Mizzou program and that many fans overlook what he did at Mizzou.
When Anderson left, this article came out as frustration and disappointment in the way Anderson handled the situation. Everything Anderson had done before the decision led me to believe he was a man of integrity. After jockeying for position and money and then running out on Mizzou after the Tigers did everything in their power to keep them, I felt that Anderson betrayed the school, his players, and fans.
He ran his program at Mizzou with integrity. But the way he handled his own departure was anything but.
I'm not a flip-flopper. I was a strong supporter of Anderson while he was at Mizzou and I feel he betrayed everyone with the way he left.
I'm not a coward. I signed my article and I signed my comments. Call me a coward for standing behind my feelings, that is fine.
Good luck to Mike Anderson at Arkansas. There, you happy??