Mike Anderson is back in the news. A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press: “Missouri coach Mike Anderson is close to returning to Arkansas to become the school’s next basketball coach.”
If this report is true, he received a contract offer from Arkansas. And Andy Katz of ESPN is reporting that Anderson is “likely” headed to Arkansas.
Nolan Richardson told Dean Blevins of OKBlitz.com: “I feel pretty sure that something will happen today.”
The deal would pay Anderson $2.2 million per year – roughly $200K more than North Carolina coach Roy Williams.
The most interesting aspect of the story: Anderson’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, mentioned he was negotiating a new contract with Missouri – a seven-year, $10.85 million deal. And Anderson isn’t allowed to negotiate with any other programs without permission from Missouri.
So how is the deal being discussed? One work-around would be if Sexton was double-dipping and negotiating both contracts at the same time. It would allow him to drive up the price of his client simultaneously – as he would be able to offer numbers for what the other school was offering.
Or perhaps, Anderson has received permission and the AD for Missouri hasn’t released that information.
As we know, the person spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations are still ongoing. The rumors that his agent are behind all of these “leaks” continue to swirl but the person told the AP that Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long “working hard” in hopes of bringing Anderson back to the school where he was an assistant for 17 years under Nolan Richardson
This happens (Anderson’s name in the media) every time Arkansas wants a new coach. A lot of fans – on both sides – are skeptical.
Mizzou fans are getting past the point of discontent and are beginning to get upset. Many Tigers fans have been posting to Twitter that “he might as well just leave now” and “Did he just roy williams Mizzou?”
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