Missouri hires Dennis Gates: Cleveland State coach led Vikings to two straight postseason appearances

Tue, Mar 22, 2022
NCAAB News (AP)

After executing a quick turnaround at Cleveland State in three seasons with the Horizon League program, Dennis Gates is headed to the SEC as the next coach at Missouri. The Tigers announced Gates as the successor to Cuonzo Martin on Monday, marking a new chapter for a proud program that hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game in over a decade.

Gates, 42, worked as an assistant under Leonard Hamilton from 2011 to 2019 before taking the Cleveland State job. At CSU, he inherited a program coming off four straight losing seasons and took it to the NCAA Tournament during his second season. This season, the Vikings finished 20-11 with a first round NIT exit after sharing the Horizon League regular season title.

"After a comprehensive and efficient national search, during which we had the privilege of speaking with an impressive group of coaches, it became clear Coach Gates was what we needed in the next leader of our basketball program," Missouri athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois said. "He's smart, driven and focused on winning. He's a proven recruiter, a strong evaluator of talent, an innovative teacher of the game and has a unique enthusiasm and passion for his work and for his student athletes that draws people in. He shares our vision of where Mizzou basketball can and will go. It is our privilege to welcome Coach Gates, his wife Jocelyn, and their family to Mizzou."

Prior to his stints at Cleveland State and Florida State, Gates worked as an assistant at Nevada, Northern Illinois and Cal. The Chicago native played at Cal, where he was a team captain under coach Ben Braun. The Bears reached two NCAA Tournaments during his playing career.

Missouri's last NCAA Tournament victory came in 2010 under Mike Anderson. Since Anderson's run ended in 2011, Frank Haith, Kim Anderson and Martin have each taken spins as the program's coach with mixed results. The Tigers finished 12-21 (5-13 SEC) under Martin this season.