Michael Porter, Sr.

Michael Porter, Sr. was a familiar face to Mizzou Athletics prior to his return to Columbia, Missouri, as part of head coach Cuonzo Martin’s staff in April 2017. Porter spent the 2016-17 season coaching at Washington, but worked the previous six years coaching on Robin Pingeton’s women’s basketball staff.

Porter, who enters his second season on the men's basketball staff, rejoined the Mizzou Basketball family after his short stint working for the Huskies, bringing along experience on the recruiting trail and travel ball circuits. Prior to his stop in Seattle, Porter served three seasons as an assistant coach for the Tigers.

Under Porter's watch, the Tigers improved their win total each season, culminating in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2000-01 season in his final campaign on staff in 2015-16. The Black & Gold also benefited from Porter's previous three seasons as Mizzou's Director of Operations (2011-13), as practices and individual workouts were organized and structured by Porter.

A major part of Porter's basketball experience comes from service to others. Porter served as head coach of Upward Basketball from 2003-06. With the Upward Sports league, Porter worked with young athletes to not only develop basketball skills, but also skills needed to build stronger character and confidence. Porter also played professionally for five seasons with Athletes in Action (AIA), competing around the country and world and spreading spiritual guidance.

Porter graduated from the University of New Orleans in 1989, where he was a four-year member of the basketball team. He and his wife, Lisa, have eight children, Bri, Cierra, Michael, Jr., Jontay, Coban, Jevon, Izaak and Jayda. Bri and Cierra are teammates on the Mizzou Women's Basketball team, while Michael, Jr., and Jontay are teammates on the Mizzou Men’s Basketball team.