Teams facing Mizzou’s greedy defense have learned a valuable lesson.

They better protect what is theirs, or risk losing it.

Hopefully, MU leaders are preparing to take the same approach when it comes to keeping Gates away from any programs interested in poaching their coach.

It’s too early to panic. It’s never too early to prepare.

Gates’ stock has improved. He was a rising name before Mizzou hired him, thanks to his Cleveland State renovation. Now, he’s proving his model can work upon arrival beneath the bright lights of the SEC.

Gates retained and recruited a roster that was highly competitive from the jump. He’s a transfer portal winner and has multiple four-star prospects committed to joining his upcoming recruiting class. Mizzou Arena is selling out again. Gates’ Tigers are relevant, winning and thrilling.

Of the five new coaches diving into the deep, dark SEC waters for the first time this season, only Florida’s Todd Golden (San Francisco) has a start that can be compared to Gates’. Golden’s Gators (13-9, 6-3 SEC) played a tougher non-conference schedule than MU, beat the Tigers earlier this season, and just knocked off No. 2 Tennessee. Impressive. There’s a reason the Tigers considered Golden in addition to Gates. But Mizzou AD Desiree Reed-Francois is more than pleased with her hire. For good reason.

After thumping LSU on Wednesday, Mizzou is 17-5 and 5-4 in SEC play, with four wins against ranked opponents and a firm foothold in NCAA Tournament projections. CBS bracket predicter Jerry Palm had the Tigers projected as high as a No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, new hires at LSU, Mississippi State and South Carolina are struggling. Most expected Mizzou, picked to finish 11th in the SEC, would be as well. Not with Gates.

Mizzou fans are not the only ones who have noticed. Gates, 43, was hired to a six-year contract that will pay him an average of $2.75 million annually. That won’t stop his name from coming up as the coaching carousel spins, whether he is interested in hopping back on it so soon, or not.

Already, Mizzou fans felt nerves stir when national media types wondered if Gates could wind up somewhere on the Texas wish list following the firing of Chris Beard. Notre Dame is another big brand now searching, following the retirement of Mike Brey. Georgetown could join that group if Patrick Ewing’s time at his alma mater ends. And don’t forget that Gates’ mentor, longtime Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton, is 74 years old and won’t be leading the Seminoles forever. Mizzou can’t stop speculation. What it can do, what it must do, is be prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect a smart investment that is paying big dividends earlier than expected.

Rushing to give Gates a raise is not the immediate play. A $14 million buyout is enough to give any team hoping to hire him significant pause. Gates has been given plenty of reasons to love his current setup. He’s been given next to none to look around.

How Mizzou stays on the right end is by continuing to give Gates reasons to be happy where he is, and having the kind of relationship that guarantees a chance to counter if an outside threat does emerge. Smart coaches figure out which juice is worth the squeeze, and apply pressure accordingly. It can turn the job you have into the one you want, whether that means leaving for it, or creating it where you stand. Good coaches and good programs often agree the best answer is to get better together.

Gates and Mizzou could find out one another’s style for handling these conversations sooner than expected. Will Gates flirt with any team that comes calling, like Mike Anderson once did, wearing out fans with his wandering eye? Will Gates never be linked to any opening before he’s suddenly gone in a flash? Will Gates stay for the long haul, taking the Norm Stewart route? Will all of this fretting about Gates’ future look silly one day if early exceeded expectations don’t continue?

Who knows.

But here are two things we do know.

First, Gates has been great for Mizzou, but Mizzou has been great for Gates, too. Gates will be the first to tell you that. Reed-Francois believed in him. Mizzou fans are supporting him. Gates has been vocal about appreciating a fit that is benefiting all parties. These facts should not be overlooked.

Second, Mizzou has no excuse to let money be a snag if a threat materializes. Not when it has developed a habit of treating cash like it falls from the columns on the quad. Curator-led quests have recently included a hefty, unleveraged raise and extension for football coach Eli Drinkwitz, who is 17-19 entering Year 4. And don’t forget the $540,000 pledge to an outside firm for a “review” of the athletics department Reed-Francois continues to improve. If the cost of doing business goes up, Mizzou must meet it. Period.

Gates’ relationship with Reed-Francois is strong. His hefty buyout offers good short-term protection. Mizzou is in good shape. But Gates has big goals, and he’s ahead of schedule. The Tigers have to keep up, or risk getting caught with their guard down.