Deaton denies knowledge of Snyder's status

In a statement released Wednesday morning, MU Chancellor Brady Deaton denied knowledge of any contact made last week regarding the job status of former Missouri men’s basketball coach Quin Snyder.

Tuesday, Deaton was asked by UM System President Elson Floyd to investigate the circumstances regarding Snyder’s departure from his position. The specifics of the investigation are unknown, except that Deaton will be talking with MU radio announcer Gary Link, who has been at the center of the controversy.

The key issue appears to be whether Link was told by Athletic Director Mike Alden to tell Snyder that the coach’s career at MU was through and whether he told Snyder that Floyd and Deaton were party to the decision.

Deaton released this three-paragraph statement:

“I was surprised to learn of Coach Quin Snyder’s resignation that he announced on Feb. 10. I was aware of and supportive of the performance expectations set by the Athletic Department that were noted by Quin in his news conference last night, although I was not aware that any contact was being made with him last week regarding his coaching position at the university. As Quin himself said last night, he had been informed that certain performance expectations were to be met during this basketball season; if those expectations were not met, he would be terminated at the end of this season.

“I appreciate that Quin was very gracious last night in his comments about Mizzou and that he said his resignation was the best possible decision for him, the basketball players and the University. We have shared good times and tough times with Quin, and I am pleased that a satisfactory settlement with him was reached.

“These facts are clear: The University set expectations; they, unfortunately have not been met; our coach put the interests of his players and the University first and stepped down; we have reached a settlement agreement. The content and meaning of any conversations that occurred in conjunction with the coach’s resignation are subject to individual interpretation.”