Dennis Gates, born on January 14, 1980, in Chicago, Illinois, is the head coach of the University of Missouri’s men’s basketball team. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Marquette and Florida State before serving as an assistant coach at California, Northern Illinois, and Nevada.
Gates rejoined Florida State in 2011, contributing to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight.
In 2019, Gates became the head coach at Cleveland State University, leading the Vikings to two Horizon League Championships and earning Horizon League Coach of the Year honors twice. He was named head coach at Missouri in March 2022. In his first season, Gates guided the Tigers to a 25-10 record and a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance.
However, the following season saw a decline, with the team finishing 8-24 and winless in SEC play. The 2024-2025 season marked a significant turnaround, with Missouri achieving a 22-11 record and securing a #6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they narrowly lost to Drake in the first round.
Gates is active on social media, sharing insights into his coaching philosophy and personal life. He emphasizes values such as respect and friendship, stating that “Respect is a non-negotiable” and “Friendship is essential to the soul.”
Following the team’s recent NCAA Tournament loss, Gates addressed the media, expressing determination to lead Mizzou through the disappointment and continue building on their progress.