Corey Tate joined head coach Kim Anderson's staff in the role of assistant coach on June 15, 2015, returning home to the University of Missouri where he is remembered fondly by fans of the Black & Gold. Tate amassed more than 250 victories in 11 seasons as head coach at Mineral Area College and was the Tiger behind one of the biggest buzzer beaters in Mizzou's Men's Basketball history.
A part of legendary Mizzou coach Norm Stewart's squads from 1994-97, Tate played for Tiger teams that featured Anderson as an assistant coach. Tate was an efficient shooter throughout his career wearing the Black & Gold, hitting on 44.8 percent of his field goal attempts.
One of the most memorable plays in program history, Tate knocked down a midrange jumper with less than six seconds remaining in double overtime to help Mizzou defeat No. 1-ranked Kansas, 96-94, on Feb. 4, 1997, inside the Hearnes Center.
Along with his famous shot, Tate certainly had his best Tiger season as a senior in 1996-97, averaging 8.8 points per game and twice scoring more than 20 points in a game. He dropped 22 against both Texas (Jan. 26, 1997) and Kansas State (Feb. 1, 1997).
Tate brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to Columbia, as well as development skills from his time at MAC (Park Hills, Mo.) and in the Nike EYBL ranks with the St. Louis Eagles program.
Tate began his collegiate career at Mineral Area before transferring to the University of Missouri for his final three seasons of eligibility. He left Columbia with a degree in economics before embarking on his coaching career. Tate will make the same move he made as a student-athlete, but now as a coach for the Tigers.
Success was a common theme for the Cardinals under Tate's guidance, and especially in 2014-15, with MAC posting a stout 27-4 record en route to claiming the NJCAA Region 16 Championship. The title was Mineral Area's third regional title with Tate at the helm. The Cardinals also claimed six conference crowns with Tate leading the way.
Tate was twice named MCCAC Coach of the Year, earning the honor after the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. He also received Region 16 Coach of the Year following Mineral Area's 2005-06 regional championship campaign, in which the Cardinals went undefeated in conference action and posted a 28-5 overall record.Â
Tate is one of just two Pattonville (St. Louis) High School basketball players to have their jersey retired, with the other being former Tiger point guard Brian Grawer (1997-01). Tate has continued to cultivate the basketball scene in the same area he starred in as a high school athlete. The St. Louis Eagles program has had seven St. Louis Post-Dispatch Players of the Year and three McDonald's All-Americans since 2001.
Tate is joined in Columbia by his wife, Nicole, sons Matthew and Sebastian, and daughters Alexis and Helen.
