Reports: Haith Gone As UM Hoops Coach
CORAL GABLES - (CBSMiami.com) - University of Miami basketball coach Frank Haith will replace Mike Anderson as head coach at Missouri, according to multiple reports. Haith is expected to fly to Miami Monday to meet with the team, and then go to Mizzou for the formal announcement.
Haith, who has served 7 years as head coach for the UM program, met with Missouri athletic director Mike Alden Saturday. According to the Columbia (MO) Daily Tribune, Haith has agreed in principle to a contract to replace former coach Mike Anderson.
But, according to the KC Star, any new contract with Haith must be signed off on by the Missouri Board of Curators. The Board called an emergency meeting for Monday night, where it's expected they will approve Haith becoming the next coach for the Tigers.
Mizzou had initially targeted Purdue head coach Matt Painter as the new coach, but he talked with the school and declined. The Tigers also flirted with Tubby Smith of Minnesota, but he too turned them down.
Haith took over as head coach in April, 2004, and helped lead the Hurricanes back into the national spotlight. Under his leadership, the Canes made 4 post season appearances, and just completed a trip to the NIT.
Missouri had been riding high after several recent NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run just a few years ago. However, the Tigers had peaked under Anderson's "Forty Minutes of Hell" style.
Haith's biggest job will be recruiting talent in a hurry to Mizzou. He has ties to the Big XII having served as an assistant at Texas and Texas A&M. But, he also had the help of Rick Barnes at Texas and he hasn't pulled in the big recruits to UM.
But for Miami, the school must now turn to finding itself a new head coach. The first name being discussed is Frank Martin from Kansas State University.
Martin is a Cuban-American and has Miami ties. He's also built a powerhouse at K-State, but his team will always be an also-ran in Kansas to the Jayhawks.
Miami could have interest in Shaka Smart of VCU, but North Carolina State appears poised to do whatever it takes to hire Smart.
