Cuonzo Martin resigned from California to become Missouri’s next coach, a source told CBS Sports early Wednesday.
The development was subsequently confirmed by the school.
“We are thrilled that Cuonzo is returning to the Midwest and that his family will now call Columbia home,” said Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk. “From the outset of our search, our goal was to find a coach who had demonstrated success, academically and on the court, while also sharing our values and who can help to reignite interest in Mizzou Men’s Basketball among our fan base. I believe we found all of that and more with Cuonzo and I look forward to watching him compete for championships and postseason appearances for many years to come.”
Martin spent the past three years at Cal, where he made the 2016 NCAA Tournament and averaged 20.7 wins per season. His motivation to make this move is rooted in a desire to return closer to home, a source told CBS Sports. Martin was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, 130 miles from Missouri’s campus.
This will be Martin’s second stint in the SEC. The Purdue graduate was Tennessee’s coach from 2011 to 2014. He took the Vols to the Sweet 16 in 2014.
