June 24, 2004
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
University of Missouri head basketball coach Quin Snyder announced on Thursday that Jeff Meyer will join his staff as an assistant coach. The addition of Meyer completes the Tigers coaching staff for the 2004-05 season following the hiring of Melvin Watkins as associate head coach on Monday.
"I am both thrilled and honored to join Quin Snyder's coaching staff and become part of the Mizzou basketball family. Coach Snyder has developed a strong foundation of success here at Mizzou, which will enable us to pursue future growth as a program. My passion is team building and to develop players through skill instruction. My hope is to add value to Coach Snyder's leadership team by bringing an authentic devotion to work well done and a fearless conviction to doing this work the right way."
Meyer has brought a winning mentality to every program he has been associated with during his 25 years of coaching at the collegiate level. During his coaching tenure, his squads have registered a 456-287 (.614) overall record and have qualified for postseason play nine times, including six NCAA Tournament (one Final Four and one Sweet Sixteen) and three National Invitation Tournament appearances.
"When conducting our search for our two new coaches, we were consistent with our goals," said Coach Snyder. "We wanted: character; high-prioritization of academics; vast coaching and teaching experience; and strong recruiting ability. I am extremely fortunate to bring an individual like Jeff Meyer on board here at Mizzou. In his 25 years of coaching, he has continually demonstrated all of those qualities."
The 1976 graduate of Taylor University most recently wrapped up his third year as assistant coach at Butler University, where the Bulldogs were Horizon League Champions in both 2002 and 2003 and also advanced to the NCAA Tournament "Sweet Sixteen" in 2003 before falling to Big 12 foe Oklahoma. The Bulldogs registered a 69-26 mark during Meyer's three years on the staff and 12 of the 13 student athletes who exhausted the eligibility at BU went on to earn their degree. Meyer spearheaded the recruiting efforts at BU and played a vital role in the Bulldog's player skill development program, game preparation and strategy.
Prior to his time at Butler, Meyer helped the Winthrop Eagles win three straight Big South Conference championships and make three consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament from 1999-2001 as associate head coach of the program. He also helped foster an outstanding commitment to academics at WU, as eight of nine student athletes who matriculated through the program at Winthrop earned their degree.
"John Hammond initially recommended Jeff to me and he could not have spoken more highly of Jeff's passion for the game and what a principled individual he is," Snyder continued. "Jeff has an incredible work ethic that is evident in his players' success on the court, their achievement in the classroom, and in the strong recruiting ties he has, particularly in the Midwest. His wealth of experience will greatly benefit the Missouri Tigers basketball program."
Meyer also brings experience as a head coach to the table. In 16 years at Liberty University, the Reynolds, Ind., native registered a 259-206 mark and led the Flames to the 1994 Big South Conference Tournament Championship and a bid to the NCAA Tournament. He guided Liberty to a 23-9 record and a first place tie for the Big South regular season championship in 1996-97 and was instrumental in helping LU make the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division I. In addition to his outstanding efforts as a head coach on the floor, Meyer's program also produced successful young men in the classroom where it registered a 90 percent graduation rate (45 of 50 student athletes) from 1981 to 1997 at LU. Meyer is Liberty all-time winningingest coach.
Meyer began his career as an assistant to Lee Rose at Purdue University from 1978-80, where he earned his masters degree. During his time at Purdue, he helped the Boilermakers reach and the NCAA "Final Four" in 1980 following a Big 10 regular season tri-championship and NIT final appearance in 1979. Meyer then joined Rose at the University of South Florida during the 1980-81 season and helped the Bulls to an appearance in the NIT.
Meyer is married to the former Karen Robinson. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Holli Torrie and Sarah, and a son, Josh.
The Meyer File
o Name: Jeff Meyer
o Birth date: June 21, 1954
o Birthplace: Lafayette, Ind.
o Wife: Karen (Robinson)
o Children: Holli Torrie, Sarah, Josh
o Education: B.A. of Science, Taylor (1972-76) Masters of Science, Purdue (1978-80)
,,X North White High School (Ind.), 1972
Coaching Career
o 2001-04 - Assistant Coach - Butler University
o 1998-2001 - Associate Head Coach - Winthrop University
o 1981-1997 - Head Coach - Liberty University
o 1980-81 - Assistant Basketball Coach - University of South Florida
o 1978-80 - Assistant Basketball Coach - Purdue University
,,X Record as head coach: 259-206
,,X Record as associate head coach: 60-28
,,X Record as assistant coach: 137-55
Coaching Accomplishments
o 1982 - NAIA District 26 Coach of the Year
o 1983 - Charles A. Krigel NAIA National Coaches Award
o 1985 - Mason-Dixon Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
o 1992 - VASID - 1992 Coach of the Year
o 1997 - College Basketball Big South Coach of the Year
,,X Six NCAA Tournament appearances
* Final Four (1980) and Sweet 16 (2003)
,,X Three National Invitation Tournament appearances
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