SE ASSISTANT BEANE LEAVES FOR ILLINOIS ST.

Anthony Beane admits he has mixed emotions about leaving Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program.

But Beane also knows that joining the Illinois State program is probably the best thing for his career right now. So he's headed to Normal, Ill., after accepting an assistant coaching position with the Redbirds.

"It's one of those things that you can't pass up, but at the same time, it's really hard to leave such a good program like Southeast has," said Beane, who has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Indians. "I have really enjoyed it here. Cape Girardeau has been super to me and my family. This is home for me and my wife and we'll continue to follow Southeast basketball.

"But I feel like this is definitely a good career move for me. It's a step up the ladder. When you get those opportunities, you can't pass them up."

Southeast head coach Gary Garner said Beane will be sorely missed, but he also knows that this is a good career move for him.

"I hate to lose Anthony. He did a tremendous job for us, and he was not only a very good assistant, but also a very good friend," Garner said. "Anthony is a great coach. He had great rapport with the players and he's good in every area. He's a good recruiter and he came to the office every day with that big smile. He really related to the players.

"But Anthony is going into a tradition rich program and they really wanted him. I know he'll do well wherever he goes. We just wish him all the best."

The 28-year-old Beane has been part of a Southeast program the last three years that reached unprecedented heights on the NCAA Division I level. The Indians have had back-to-back 20-win seasons and last season advanced to the Division I tournament for the first time ever.

"It's been a tremendous run here," Beane said. "I've learned so much from coach Garner these last three years and it was a tremendous feeling to be a part of getting this program going."

Beane, a native of Bernie, Mo., was an All-American guard at Three Rivers Community College and a two-time all-Big Eight Conference selection at Kansas State. He will be joining an Illinois State program that had been a regular participant in the NCAA tourney before stumbling to a 10-20 record last season under first-year head coach Tom Richardson.

"They have some work to get done and I'm looking forward to helping get it done," said Beane. "I'm excited about the program coach Richardson will build."

Garner said Southeast will conduct a national search for a coach to join a staff that also includes top assistant Tom Schuberth and Keno Davis.

"We would like to move on this as quickly as possible," said Garner, who added that he already has some potential candidates in mind.