Arkansas Basketball dismissed former coach Mike Anderson after a second round NIT exit. They have yet to make their next head coaching hire, but Kelvin Sampson of Houston makes the most sense.
The Final Four is set and the final games of the college basketball season are upon us. Athletic Directors across the country are evaluating the season and are deciding to extend or terminate their current coaches. Arkansas Basketball have decided to go in a different direction after 8 seasons. After the second round NIT exit the University decided to part ways with former coach Mike Anderson.
When Anderson arrived in Fayetteville from his stint at Missouri, he had been to three consecutive NCAA tournaments as well as one elite eight appearance. The former coach led Arkansas to three NCAA tournaments in his eight seasons. The success he had experienced at Missouri never came for the Razorbacks. Out of the three NCAA tournament appearances that Anderson was responsible for, Arkansas was only able to win one game.
The Razorbacks had high expectations this season, after returning most of their roster from an NCAA tournament team a season ago. One of the players who returned was superstar big man Daniel Gafford. With Gafford and a talented roster in tow, the fans and administration in Fayetteville had high hopes. What followed was a largely disappointing season. The Razorbacks finished at 18-16 after losing their second game in the NIT.
The coaching search has begun and there will be many qualified coaches who will be interviewed. One coach makes the most sense for Arkansas. Kelvin Sampson would be a great fit in Fayetteville, however it remains to be seen if Sampson has actual interest in leaving his current job with Houston, or if the Razorbacks have actual interest in bringing Sampson to Fayetteville. If they do the job would be a good match for both invested parties.