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Michael Porter Sr. Will Remain On Women’s Staff

By Ron Davis

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On Sunday night, Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar extended an offer to Mizzou women’s basketball assistant Michael Porter to be on the UW men’s staff. Though it was widely anticipated that Porter would accept, late Tuesday night he turned it down.

Romar extending the offer was largely because of Porter’s son, Michael Jr., who just completed his sophomore season in Columbia at Tolton Catholic. Porter Jr. averaged 26.1 points per game, and is a consensus top-five prospect in the class of 2017.

If Porter Sr. took the job, that would mean a move to Seattle for him and his family. That probably wouldn’t mean his daughters Bri and Cierra, who will be on the Tigers women’s team next year, but his sons Michael Jr. and rising sophomore Jontay would likely make the move with their father.

Tiger fans should be very happy to hear this news because, even though the Porters’ almost all are affiliated with Missouri, a move to Seattle would almost completely take the Tigers out of play for Michael Jr. and Jontay down the line.

With Porter Sr. “in play” Missouri head coach Kim Anderson might consider him for his vacant assistant coaching position. When Tim Fuller left the staff, we talked about potential candidates for his position and Porter was on the list.

Jan 17, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Kim Anderson reacts during the first half at Mizzou Arena during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

The other two on the list, Rick Ray and Kim English, may be on the same staff, but not on Missouri’s. Ray is the front runner for the SEMO head coaching job and English could be an assistant on Ray’s staff. Anderson would want Ray to be his lead assistant, but if he’s offered a head coaching job anywhere, Ray won’t be coaching in Columbia next year.

Could Porter be considered? Absolutely, but it may not be the most viable option. If Porter was hired, that would send a clear message that Anderson is pulling out all the stops for one of the best players in the country. The problem is, that player won’t set foot on campus until Fall of 2017 and there’s no guarantee that Anderson will be there in two years.

Anderson should try and get a coach with a proven, men’s coach with a good track record. Ideally that assistant could be a big time recruiter, but he needs someone who can help with the development with the talent in house. He can’t afford to swing-and-miss on this hire, and if he does, it could be the last move he’ll make before he’s shown the door.

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