At the end of the school year, Missouri’s athletic director Mike Alden will step down. Alden will be taking a job as an instructor in Missouri’s College of Education.
“After several months of contemplation, I have decided that it is time for a change,” Alden said in his letter announcing his exit from the position.
Alden has been the Tiger’s Athletic Director since 1998 and has been crucial in the school’s rise in athletics. Under Alden, Mizzou made the move from the Big 12 conference into the Southeastern Conference.
Alden hired former Toledoo football head coach Gary Pinkel in 2001 and he revitalized the program. Pinkel is Mizzou’s time leader in wins and has won back-to-back SEC East championships. Pinkel has put many players in the NFL and has brought the Tigers from mediocrity to excellence.
Alden came to Mizzou at the end of legendary basketball coach Norm Stewart’s tenure at the school. Since Stewart’s departure, the Tiger’s have had five coaches and have made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament twice. Most recently, Alden hired former Tiger Kim Anderson to become head coach after Frank Haith bolted for Tulsa.
Under Alden, Missouri has also seen success in wrestling and women’s volleyball. With all the success in athletics that Missouri has achieved in the last decade it will be a tough job for chancellor Bowen Loftin to replace Alden.
The school has not yet announced who Alden’s replacement will be, and no prominent candidates have emerged on the rumor mill. Stay tuned for developing subplots in the hiring process.
*Section Photo credit to Dak Dillon, USA Today Sports; Featured Photo (above) credit to Mike Krebs, Maneater
