MU's Snyder plans to stay with Tigers

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri men's basketball coach Quin Snyder has declined a reported offer to coach at the University of Washington, saying late Sunday that he plans to remain on the sidelines next season with the Tigers.

"We have some very special players on our team and we have made a tremendous investment in each other over the last few years," Snyder said in a statement. "We are building a very special and unique program at Missouri and I am certainly excited about the potential that lies ahead."

The school said Snyder would not make any additional comments until Wednesday.

Washington is looking for a new coach after firing Bob Bender, who was asked to resign last week after three consecutive losing seasons.

Snyder, who has guided the Tigers to the NCAA tournament in each of his first three seasons and to the round of eight this year, was considered a prime candidate for the position primarily because of strong personal ties to Seattle. He is a native of the Seattle suburb of Mercer Island and still has family in the area.

Washington athletic director Barbara Hedges has not commented publicly on her search for a new coach, but has received permission to talk with Gonzaga coach Mark Few and Saint Louis coach Lorenzo Romar, who played for the Huskies.