Tiger fans can breathe a little easier

Mike Anderson will not be coaching at the University of Alabama next season.

ESPN confirmed Friday that VCU coach Anthony Grant will lead the Crimson Tide next season, effectively silencing all the speculation that Anderson might leave Missouri and head home for a large paycheck. Certainly this seemed to be the most destination for him outside of Columbia next season, but it doesn’t guarantee that Anderson will be leading the Tigers next season, as other schools are sure to be interested in his services. Some people are even already suggesting he could be a candidate for the new opening at Kentucky, undoubtedly the most high-profile job in the college basketball marketplace right now. Some other schools, mostly in the South near his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, are also being thrown around.

For now, though, Anderson seems awfully happy to be coaching the Tigers and refuses to answer any questions regarding his future while his team is still playing. This seems to me to be the kind of decision a class act like Anderson would make whether or not he would entertain other offers, but some in the media are unfortunately inclined to make grander speculations and suggest this means he’d be ready to leave.

Honestly, if he had gotten a good offer from Alabama, it might have been hard to fault him for leaving. Kentucky certainly has a lot more tradition and prestige than Missouri, if Anderson is interested in that type of thing. But right now at Missouri, he can do no wrong and seems to have a great relationship with his players, most of whom are coming back next season.

Although a win tomorrow would be an historic accomplishment and an incredible reward for an amazing season, keeping Anderson on the sidelines at Mizzou Arena might be even more important. Under the wrong leadership, a team that is much greater than the sum of its parts could fall quickly back out of the spotlight.