Chancellor at Mizzou: Communications need to improve

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- The chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia said Thursday that he has confidence in Athletic Director Mike Alden, but that the athletic department needs to improve its communications process. Chancellor Brady Deaton released his statement Thursday after a review of the events surrounding Quin Snyder`s surprising resignation as basketball coach last week. Alden had come under public criticism after Snyder said the athletic director sent basketball analyst Gary Link, who also is an assistant to Alden, to tell Snyder that he would be fired after this season. Alden has said only that he sent Link to talk to Snyder to see how the coach was holding up in a disappointing season. Snyder resigned Friday, a day after vowing to stay on until the end of the season. Associate head coach Melvin Watkins is now the interim head coach. In his statement, Deaton declined to comment extensively on Link`s involvement. "Everyone involved with this issue had the best interests of the University at heart, and that includes Mike Alden, Gary Link and Quin Snyder," Deaton said. "It is time to move ahead, and Athletic Director Mike Alden and Interim Head Coach Melvin Watkins have my support. I plan to work closely with Mike and the Athletic Department staff to assess the basketball program and its future as we anticipate the search for a new basketball coach." However, Deaton said he was "very concerned about the negative image that has been created for the University due to poor communications surrounding the process. "As a result of my review," Deaton said, "I plan to work with Athletic Director Mike Alden to improve the athletic department`s internal and external communications processes, and I will be making recommendations to improve future communications." Deaton`s statement also indicated that Snyder should have known his job was in jeopardy. "Each party involved in this issue was well aware of the expectations concerning the performance of the basketball team, and that these expectations had been conveyed to former Head Basketball Coach Quin Snyder on more than one occasion," Deaton said. "My assessment is that each of the three principal people involved sought to bring the process to a reasonable conclusion. Individual perceptions differ somewhat, but the facts remain consistent." Alden said Thursday in a news release that he appreciated the chancellor`s support and reiterated Deaton`s request to move forward and improve the athletic department. "A new era in Mizzou basketball is about to begin, and the most important thing to be done now is to go out and find the best coach possible," Alden said. Alden said he shared Deaton`s concern for the negative image cast on the university and the "poor communication." He also said he regretted that Link became "involved so publicly in this situation." "I take responsibility for this, and for also taking the steps to prevent this from happening again," he said.