The independent investigation that was announced is irrelevant. The only issue that matters at this point is Alden falling out of favor with the fans and big money contributors of Mizzou. Whether you personally feel it is justified, Mike Alden needs to step down for no other reason than he can not effectively lead a group that doesn't want him to be there. No amount of investigation and no amount of statements of confidence from Elson Floyd (who has his own issues with the fans) will change this.

At this point, Mike Alden is finished at Mizzou. It has come unraveled for him much like it did for Norm Stewart in his final days. I didn't want to see Norm go, but I didn't feel he could effectively recruit at that stage in his career with the turmoil he had on the team. He was thin on talent and what talent he had was apparently threatening to leave unless he was replaced. Likewise, Alden has suffered tremendous blows to his reputation during multiple scandals at Mizzou. This latest is simply the final blow and with big money donors and long time boosters of the program severing ties, Elson Floyd has no choice but to cut Alden loose and begin the arduous healing process.

For Alden, this allows him an opportunity to resign and save face. He can make a straight-faced argument that he was simply the scapegoat of a frustrated fanbase hellbent on making someone pay for the basketball fiasco. Mike will land on his feet somewhere and I wish him well. He has accomplished some fine things at Mizzou and it hasn't all been bad, but let's just agree to part ways.