MU chancellor: Norm is Tigers' Coach Emeritus

Brady Deaton, chancellor of the Columbia campus of the University of Missouri, is shaking his head over the hubbub created by a story from St. Louis that Norm Stewart is no longer a special assistant to Deaton.

"I never thought this was much about Norm not having a title," Deaton said. "He certainly has a title as Coach Emeritus of the University of Missouri."

What Stewart, officially at least, is no longer doing is working in support of the University’s capital campaign. That, in part, is because the fund-raising effort officially ended late last year.

“Norm and I talked about this in December,” Deaton said. “There really is no issue beyond that.

“Norm and Virginia (Norm’s wife) have provided great support for the University and I’m sure will continue to.”

Stewart, who won 634 games as the Tigers' basketball coach, did not immediately return phone calls placed to him. However, as recently as near the end of Missouri’s run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in April, Stewart expressed no displeasure with his relationship with Mizzou.