Missouri Tigers hoops coach Dennis Gates hires ‘winner’ for key assistant’s role
Missouri Tigers men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates made his first addition to his coaching staff for the 2025-26 season.
Gates reportedly hired former Duquesne assistant cpach Steve Wright on Monday, according to Field of 68 co-founder Jeff Goodman.
“It’s great to welcome Steve (Wright) and his family to Missouri,” Gates said in a news release obtained by the Missourian. “Having worked with him in the past, Steve is familiar with our culture and what we demand on the court, in the classroom and in the community to run a successful program.
“He is well-established in the grassroots of basketball and recruiting is a strength of his. Steve has also been a winner at multiple stops, and we’re excited to see him continue that at Mizzou.”
Wright served as video coordinator on Gates’ staff at Cleveland State during the 2019-20 campaign.
“I’m thrilled to reunite with Coach Gates at the University of Missouri” Wright said. “Coach Gates is a tremendous leader and I look forward to building on the success that he and his staff have already established in their short time on campus. I’ve followed along closely during the past three seasons and there isn’t a more passionate fanbase in the country to work with. I can’t wait to get to work and join the Mizzou family.”
Wright left the Vikings to join his alma mater, serving as an assistant on former Bowling Green coach Michael Huger’s staff from 2020-23. He helped coach the Falcons to a 38-50 overall record in his three seasons with the Bowling Green, Ohio, squad.
In July 2023, Wright was hired at Duquesne as an assistant under former coach Keith Dambrot (2018-24). He remained under current coach Dru Joyce III, another former Gates assitant. In two seasons with the Dukes, Wright helped the Pittsburgh squad amass a 38-31 overall record.
The addition of Wright leaves MU with one open bench role to fill before the season starts. The assistant spot was made available with former associate head coach Charlton “C.Y.” Young’s departure to Miami on April 15.
Mizzou has another administrative vacancy after former director of basketball operations Dalon King’s departure to Cleveland State.
“I’m incredibly grateful and excited to return to Cleveland State as an assistant coach,” King said in a news release. “This program holds a special place in my heart — it’s where I began my journey in college basketball and where I’ve been fortunate to be part of championship teams and special moments.”
King reunites with newly minted coach Rob Summers, who served as an MU assistant in the 2024-25 season, as an assistant on his staff.
“We’re excited to welcome back Dalon King to Cleveland State and our basketball staff,” Summers said. “Dalon has been part of winning programs at both Missouri and here at Cleveland State, and his background in scouting, analytics and basketball operations brings tremendous value to our team.”
King was involved with the Vikings’ program from 2018-22, serving the last three of his five seasons there under Gates. King was a manager and graduate assistant before becoming assistant director of basketball operations in his last season of his first stint with his alma mater.
King followed Gates to Mizzou, where he was part of the program from 2022-25. He spent his first two seasons as coordinator of scouting and analytics before shifting to director of basketball operations for his final season with the team.
“Cleveland State is getting one of the bright young minds in college basketball,” Gates said. “Dalon King is a tireless worker and someone who’s earned his opportunity through his dedication and humility. Watching his growth from a graduate assistant to a key member of our staff has been incredibly rewarding. He’s prepared for this next chapter and will be an immediate asset to the program.”
King’s departure leaves the Tigers with three administrative roles they look to fill within the program. The other two are the assistant director of basketball operations, which was opened with Nick Korta’s departure to VMI on April 10, and a general manager position that was created April 9.
Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published April 29, 2025 at 11:57 AM.