Mizzou’s New Coach Kim Anderson

When I was in college, there was a huge rivalry game, the Busch Braggin’ Rights Game between the Mizzou Tigers and the Fighting Illini. The game was always in St. Louis over Christmas Break and students could camp out and get tickets.

Camping outside of the Hearnes Center in November often meant enduring 10-20 degree temperatures. We’d start camping out just after dinnertime and were usually among the first 10 or so in line. Around 7 a.m. they’d finally let us in the building to wait until the box office opened at 9.

One year (I believe it was around 1996 or 1997, when his career was winding down), Mizzou Coach Norm Stewart came in around 7 a.m. and on his way to his office, walked past us and barked, “So how many of you are gonna sell your tickets?”

After camping out for about 15 hours in freezing temperatures, I was a bit offended that the coach would make such a remark. What happened next renewed my faith in the program.

Around 7:30, assistant coach Kim Anderson got out of his car and brought about four dozen donuts in for those of us who camped out. He thanked us for being there and apologized for not bringing in more.  I was impressed with his class and humility that morning.

As a sports editor of one of the school papers, I got to watch the team often and up close, and I was always impressed with the 1-on-1 coaching Anderson provided to members of the team. While Coach Stewart was nearing the end of his career, and had to deal with lots of players complaining about playing time, Coach Anderson always had a way of putting his arm around a player, calming them down, and getting their head back into things.

After Quinn Snyder made a mess of the program, I was really hoping Mizzou would bring Coach Anderson back as head coach. Instead, they brought a different coach Anderson (Mike). Kim went to Central Missouri State and has been a huge success in his 12 years there, most recently winning the D-II national championship this year.

Finally, after all this time, I’m glad and proud to see that Mizzou finally welcomed Kim Anderson home as head coach of the Missouri Tigers today. He’s a class act and a great coach, and I look forward to where he’s able to take the program.