"I appreciate Chancellor Deaton taking the time to evaluate this situation, and I am grateful for his support.  I do share his concern for the negative image that has been cast over the University the past week, and as the Director of Athletics, I take responsibility for this, and for also taking the steps to prevent this from happening again.  There was poor communication on a number of levels.  I look forward to working with Dr. Deaton in the future, and will look at this situation, as I try to with everything, as a way to improve our athletic department.

 

"Gary Link is a wonderful asset to this University, and would only act in a way that he felt was in everyone's best interests.  I regret that he has become involved so publicly in this situation.  He is a great ambassador for Mizzou, and we are fortunate to have him with us.

 

"It is time for us to move forward.  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 for the University, and for our fans.  We know that Mizzou is an attractive job, and I am fully focused on getting someone in here that will have great success.  I look forward to working with Chancellor Deaton in finding our next coach as we move our program forward, in a search that will begin immediately."