Missouri Assistant Coach David 'Dickey' Nutt Announces Cancer Diagnosis

Missouri men's basketball assistant coach David "Dickey" Nutt is "optimistic" he'll make a full recovery.

Missouri men's basketball assistant coach David "Dickey" Nutt received some unfortunate news as he was diagnosed with cancer.

The 64-year-old broke the news on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday, but gave encouraging words as well:

"After a recent checkup, I was diagnosed with cancer and will begin chemotherapy treatment in Columbia early next week," Nutt writes. "I have a great team of family, friends colleagues, student-athletes and doctors surrounding me and since it is believed to be found very early, we are optimistic that I will make a full recovery. I want to encourage everyone to get regular screenings for early detection and to get educated on potential risks and warning signs. I look forward to returning to Mizzou basketball and will be cheering the team on and scouting opponents until then. MIZ!" —David "Dickey" Nutt.

Missouri assistant coach Dickey Nutt chats with Tigers' guard Sean East after defeating Utah State 76-65 in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on March 16, 2023, in Sacramento, Calif :: © Chris Kwiecinski/Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK

Nutt came to Mizzou in 2022 and helped lead the Tigers to a 12-win improvement from the year before. The Tigers also claimed its most wins in 11 years (25-10 in the regular season) and recorded its best conference finish since joining the SEC in 2012. They also finished the season ranked in the top 25 of the AP poll and earned their first NCAA Tournament win in 13 years.

Nutt has been coaching college basketball for quite some time as his first position was an assistant coach for Oklahoma State from 1985-87. He was an assistant once again for Arkansas State from 1987-95, but he was promoted to the school's head coach from 1995-2008.

Nutt earned another head coaching position at Southeast East Missouri State from 2009-15, and over the next few years, a variety of other roles at Florida State, Stetson, Cleveland State and Gaston College eventually led him to Columbia, Mo.

Missouri head basketball coach Dennis Gates and athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois showed their support on X shortly after the Nutt's message.

An absolute true gentleman with the most incredible heart…
Coach Nutt you are in our prayers.
We fight along side of you. #MIZ #CancerSucks https://t.co/ijIv04qcR7

— DR_Francois (@DRFrancois1) February 1, 2024

With you every step of the way coach! We love you! https://t.co/9NhMAC9qSh

— Dennis Gates (@coachdgates) February 1, 2024

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