COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMOX) - Missouri unveiled its 20th men's basketball coach in program history, Tuesday afternoon.
Dennis Gates said his awareness of Mizzou basketball dates back to when Coach Norm Stewart nearly got him to come to Columbia as a high school player out of Chicago.
Gates said he's willing to make some guarantees as he now takes over as Tigers head coach, "You will see a core set of values in our players, from friendship, love, accountability, trust, discipline, unselfishness, enthusiasm, and toughness. Those 8 core values will lead us into our championship ways. And we are going to win championships in the classroom, on the court, and in our community."
Gates comes to Missouri from Cleveland State after a three-year run as the head coach, where he led the Vikings to two Horizon League Championships and back-to-back postseason appearances.
"After a comprehensive and efficient national search, during which we had the privilege of speaking with an impressive group of coaches, it became clear Coach Gates was what we needed in the next leader of our basketball program," Director of Athletics Desireè Reed-Francois said. "He's smart, driven and focused on winning. He's a proven recruiter, a strong evaluator of talent, an innovative teacher of the game and has a unique enthusiasm and passion for his work and for his student athletes that draws people in. He shares our vision of where Mizzou basketball can and will go. It is our privilege to welcome Coach Gates, his wife Jocelyn, and their family to Mizzou."
Also at Tuesday's news conference Gates said, "My dream is to become a national champion. My dream is to become a Hall of Fame coach. Mizzou has everything in place for me to accomplish those goals, those dreams, those aspirations."
And he didn't waste a minute in beginning recruitment efforts, "To our student body, our fans, our alumni and former players, along with everyone who loves Mizzou, everyone who helped create unbelievable memories at this great institution, come create some new ones with us. Come support these young men. Come support the future."
Terms of Gates' contract were not disclosed.
Gates comes to Missouri from Cleveland State.
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