Anderson ditches Missouri men's basketball team for Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Mike Anderson is returning to Arkansas to become the Razorbacks' basketball coach.

The school confirmed the move Wednesday night.

Anderson leaves Missouri after five seasons to return to the school where he was an assistant to Nolan Richardson for 17 seasons. He replaces John Pelphrey, who was fired March 13.

"Under Mike's leadership, I am confident the Razorbacks will be successful in the future on and off the court," Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement. "The decision to hire Mike Anderson as head coach is based on my firm belief that he is the right person to lead the Razorback program today and in the years to come."

Anderson's departure is certain to anger Missouri fans who just six days earlier were assured by the Tigers' coach that, "I'm excited about what's taking place at Missouri, and I plan on being at Missouri." But they also had grown accustomed to previous flirtations -- Anderson turned down $2 million offers and both the Georgia job in 2009 and Oregon one year later.

But the hard feelings felt by Missouri fans over Anderson's departure were nowhere to be found inside Mizzou Arena at a news conference Wednesday night. Less than two hours after a team meeting with Anderson, athletic director Mike Alden repeatedly praised the coach for restoring the national success of a program that rose to prominence under longtime coach Norm Stewart but faltered under Anderson's predecessor, Quin Snyder.

"We've been blessed that he has been with us for the past five years," Alden said at a hastily arranged news conference. "We wish him nothing but the best."

Anderson did not attend the news conference, but rising Missouri seniors Marcus Denmon, Kim English and Laurence Bowers also spoke fondly of their former coach. Anderson told them that the call home was too strong to resist, they said.

"I don't feel coach Anderson would have left here for any place other than Arkansas," Denmon said.

Anderson was 111-57 in five seasons at Missouri, including an appearance in the Elite Eight in 2009. The Tigers were 23-11 this season, losing to Cincinnati in the second round of the NCAA tournament. He was 89-41 in four seasons at Alabama-Birmingham before that.

Anderson was Richardson's assistant at Arkansas before UAB. He was part of three Final Four trips with the Razorbacks, including when they won the national championship over Duke in 1994 and finished as runners-up to UCLA a year later.

Anderson served as Arkansas' interim coach for two games following Richardson's firing in 2002. He then interviewed for the position before being passed over in favor of Stan Heath.