Dennis Gates Ranked in Top 5 of Men's Basketball Coaches for 2025

The third-year head coach of the Missouri Tigers is garnering more attention during a turnaround season.
Nov 27, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates calls a play during the first half against the Lindenwood Lions at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Nov 27, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates calls a play during the first half against the Lindenwood Lions at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
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Although it is a big chuck of time to disregard, if it weren't for a winless conference slate last year, Dennis Gates' would currently have a 40-14 overall record and a 15-9 conference record in his time with the Missouri Tigers.

But, the winless record through last year's Southeastern Conference play has turned into an impressive turnaround for the program, taking a 4-2 start to conference play this season.

The attention for Gates is beginning to pick up again, with his team earning statement wins over Kansas and Florida in the past 50 days.

The third-year head coach was ranked No. 5 in Coach of the Year rankings by ESPN.

"Over a 96-day stretch in 2023-24, Gates' squad won a single game and ended the year on a 19-game losing streak that drew major concerns about his future," Myron Medcalf writes. "During that turbulent run, however, Gates preached about his program's potential. ... Last season's difficulties for Missouri look like an anomaly now with Gates a serious contender for SEC and national coach of the year awards."

ESPN's Coach of the Year Rankings Top 10

1. Bruce Pearl, Auburn
2. Jon Scheyer, Duke
3. Darian DeVries, West Virginia
4. Todd Golden, Florida
5. Dennis Gates, Missouri
6. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
7. Pat Kelsey, Louisville
8. Brad Underwood, Illinois
9. T.J. Otzelberger
10. Mark Pope, Kentucky

Read more Missouri Tigers news:

Everything Dennis Gates, Tony Perkins Said to Preview Mizzou's Matchup With Ole Miss
What to Know About Ole Miss Basketball Ahead of Mizzou's Ranked Contest
What Went Wrong for Mizzou in its Road Loss Against Texas


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Joey Van Zummeren
JOEY VAN ZUMMEREN

Joey Van Zummeren is studying journalism at the University of Missouri. From Belleville, Ill., he joined Missouri Tigers On SI as an intern in 2023. His beats include football and basketball.