The Arkansas Razorbacks have parted ways with head coach Mike Anderson the team announced on Tuesday. The news came after an underwhelming season and second-round NIT Tournament loss to the Indiana Hoosiers. Star Razorback player Daniel Gafford did not play in the Tournament and declared for the 2019 NBA Draft.
This makes the fourth SEC basketball team this month to part ways with their head coach. Arkansas joins Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Texas A&M in searching for a new head coach this offseason. Anderson had performed fairly well over the past few years and his firing left players on the team confused and hurt.
how do you fire a man that has never had a losing record and has been to the NCAA Tournament 3 out of the last 4 years? i just don’t understand
— Khalil Garland. (@khalilgarland3_) March 26, 2019
Anderson had an impressive record with the Razorbacks touting a 151-86 record over seven seasons. The former Razorback head coach is viewed by many as the man that brought Arkansas basketball back to national relevancy. Mike Anderson has helped produce NBA talent at Arkansas and has developed a culture of players graduating from the school.
As Tears Come down my eyes , Love you Coach , Gave this kid a chance and believed in me as a player , Taught me more than basketball , This one Hurt ?? @MikeAndersonUA pic.twitter.com/PqDWGmJizi
— Gabe (@Go22_Lt) March 26, 2019
The Razorbacks join a crowded field now in search of a new head coach that can keep the program competitive in a challenging SEC. The program will also likely see some players transfer out now because of the Anderson firing. Anderson being fired is a statement by Arkansas that making the NCAA Tournament may not always be enough. Arkansas has not seen large amounts of NCAA Tournament success when they did get there.
