Gates Named to 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year Watch List

In the midst of a successful first season leading the Missouri basketball program, Whitten Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates was named to the 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Friday.

Gates is one of 15 coaches in the country named to the Late Season Watch List, including one of just two from the SEC and one of four in their first year with their program.

Through his first 26 games on campus, Gates has led the Tigers to a 19-7 record. Picked 11th in SEC preseason poll, the first-year coach has directed a team with just three returning student-athletes and 12 new players to a 7-6 mark in conference play and is currently tied for sixth in the league standings.

With at least six games remaining, the Tigers’ 19 victories are already the program’s most since claiming 20 wins during the 2017-18 campaign. Gates has led Mizzou to five victories over nationally-ranked opponents – the second-most in the country this season. Gates also became the second Tigers coach to earn a national ranking in his first season on campus when Mizzou first entered the polls on January 2.

Prior to joining the Tigers, Gates spent three years as head coach at Cleveland State where he was honored as Horizon League Coach of the Year in both 2020 and 2021. Overall, he has totaled 69 wins during his first three-plus seasons as a head coach.

A list of 10 semifinalists will be announced on Thursday, March 9 before being narrowed to four finalists on Monday, March 20. The final round includes an opportunity for consumers to participate through the Naismith Awards Fan Vote presented by Jersey Mike’s, which accounts for 5% of the total vote and runs from March 21-28. The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 2, at the Naismith Awards Brunch presented by Frost Bank at the Final Four in Houston.

The Tigers are back in action on Saturday night, hosting nationally-ranked Texas A&M. First tip at Mizzou Arena with the No. -/25 Aggies is set for 5 p.m. on ESPN2.