Thanks to a few great sources who got this to us hours before it became official. Here is the statement just released from Missouri Western confirming what we reported earlier.

Missouri Western Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin has announced that Brett Weiberg has been named head coach of the Griffon Men’s Basketball program, the fourth since 1969. Weiberg comes to MWSU from Northern Oklahoma College where he has been the head coach since 2006 and replaces Hall of Fame coach Tom Smith who retired at the end of this past season after 25 years at the helm.

"I could not be more excited to welcome Brett Weiberg and his family to Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph community," said McGuffin."Brett was born to coach and has been around it all of his life and it shows with his ability to recruit and motivate high quality student- athletes."

The 38-year-old, who has compiled 125 career victories in seven seasons, led Northern Oklahoma to a 27-4 overall record and the OCAC conference regular season championship in the 2012-2013 campaign.

“I am really excited,” said Weiberg. “I feel very humbled and blessed to have this opportunity. Kurt McGuffin has been absolutely wonderful, he is really good. This is a move I have been wanting to make for a few years and I am fortunate to do it at a place that has so much rich tradition at a great school in a good location in a very good league. I’m looking forward to competing at a high level and just as importantly, I’m looking forward to working with a bunch of good people.”

Although building a winning team is one of his top priorities, Weiberg emphasizes education first. He has a personal interest in each of his players and works to help them experience success in all aspects of their college careers. While at NOC, 80 percent of his players received their Associate Degree.

Weiberg brings 15 years of collegiate coaching experience to MWSU and has experience in coaching at a multitude of levels. He began his coaching career in 1998 as an assistant at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. Following stints at NAIA Wayland Baptist University and Division I Texas-San Antonio, he found a home at Northern Oklahoma College where he spent five years as an assistant before becoming the head coach in 2006. In doing so, he succeeded his legendary father Mick Weiberg.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, he enjoyed a solid four year playing career spending the first two years of it playing for his father at NOC and helping lead his team to two conference championships. He spent his last two years of eligibility at Division I Sam Houston State where he was voted team captain his senior year and led the team in minutes played. He was also a two time member of the Southland Conference All Academic Team.

Weiberg was chosen from a pool of more than 200 applicants in a search process that began in mid-January.

Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.