Mike Anderson has left as head coach at Missouri and has accepted the same position at the University of Arkansas. A press conference will be held at an undisclosed time.

Sources indicate Anderson will receive a 7-year, $2.2 mil. per contract along with a $550,000 buyout on his current contract with Missouri.

"It is a tremendous honor to be named the head men's basketball coach at the University of Arkansas," Anderson said in a release. "I want to thank Chancellor (Dave) Gearhart and Athletic Director Jeff Long for this opportunity to lead the Razorback Basketball program. I am extremely excited to once again be a part of this special University and Razorback Athletics. With the continued passionate support of all Razorback fans, I am confident that we will have the opportunity to succeed on and off the court and continue to build on the University of Arkansas' championship tradition."

It was a bit of a roller coaster during the week-long search to find John Pelphrey's replacement, but Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long got a top target in Anderson, and he was always the top realistic name in the discussion among fans. Several names popped up, like Marquette's Buzz Williams and Minnesota's Tubby Smith early, but the bottom line is if Anderson wanted to come back to the place he served as an assistant for 17 years, he was the logical answer. Based on fan feedback, the vast majority who are pleased seem to be rather excited about the prospects of having Anderson lead Arkansas back to the glory years. It's a good fit, the timing is right, it's symbolic, and it's a great story.

Anderson was a part of 16 20-win teams under Nolan Richardson and four 30-win teams, including the 1991 Final Four team that finished 34-4, the 1994 national championship team that finished 31-3 and the 1995 runner-up team that went 32-7.

Anderson took UAB to three NCAA Tournaments in-a-row, including the Sweet 16 in 2004. In 2006, his 24-7 team helped land him the Missouri job.

Missouri was coming off consecutive seasons of 16-14, 16-17 and 12-16 before hiring Anderson. Anderson's teams struggled his first two years, 18-12 and 16-16, as he rebuilt the program. In 2009, the Tigers exploded to a 31-7 record and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance. He put together identical 23-11 records the next two seasons, making the NCAA Tournament each time. He has nine years of head coaching experience with six NCAA tournament appearances. The final three years at each school, Anderson's teams went to the tournament.

Character has never been a question for Anderson. He has been well-respected in the community, and he's more the type to - as Bobby Petrino often says - speak quietly and carry a big stick. He's not animated on the bench, though his team is high-energy. It was always assumed Anderson would step in for Nolan Richardson when he decided to step down, but things went differently. At the time, some wanted Anderson as the new coach and some wanted a fresh start. Former legendary Athletic Director Frank Broyles went with the fresh start and Stan Heath, and Anderson went off and grew into one of the top coaching prospects in the nation.

While Arkansas was struggling, Anderson was flourishing. After four seasons at UAB, he took over Missouri, and the success continued after a rebuilding period.

Anderson is his own man, despite his strong influence from former Razorback coaching legend Noland Richardson. The people employed by the UA for the most part have different names. Richardson recently stepped back into Bud Walton Arena for the first time since he left - unbelievably overdue - as his 1994 National Championship team was honored.

The connections are obvious. Anderson was at Arkansas for 17 years. It's home. His most important connection may be with the Arkansas fans, who are familiar with the style of play and would likely pack the house early for Anderson. But again, Anderson has a strong Nolan Richardson influence, but he is not Richardson.

There is no doubt, the Missouri fan base grew wary of this ordeal, but that is just the way big-time coaching changes are done this day and age. Every coach says they are happy where they are until they leave. Every coach says his starting quarterback is his startin quarterback until he benches him. It's just the way things are. The reported 2 mil, 7-year deal is solid. Last year Anderson reportedly flirted with Oregon.

In Arkansas' current recruiting class, Anderson recruited instate 4-star Ky Madden and Texas 3-star Devonta Abron, but he did not heavily pursue B.J. Young, a five-star prospect in Anderson's back yard of Missouri. Missouri also did not heavily recruit Jonesboro (Ark.) 4-star Hunter Mickelson, who has signed with the Hogs. So, he may have a little work to do to keep the class completely intact, but reports are showing it is definitely possible with positive reviews from all so far, except Michelson who has not been contacted as of yet.

Anderson's biggest sign at UAB was 4-star Lawrence Kinnard out of Memphis in 2005. He chose the Blazers over Auburn, Ole Miss and others as well as Jeremy Mayfield, a 4-star forward out of Houston.

Anderson did not land a four-star recruit at Missouri until the latest recruiting class, which was highly regarded nationally thanks to some strong connections and an Elite Eight appearance the year before that. Dallas' Tony Mitchell was a 5-star prospect. Phil Pressey was a 4-star point guard out of Dallas, and coveted 4-star JUCO Ricardo Ratliffe chose Missouri over Arkansas and others.

Missouri has no commitments or signees for the 2011 recruiting cycle, though there is just one spot open on the roster and they Tigers lead for 4-star power forward Otto Porter.