Columbia, Mo. ? Missouri hired former Texas A&M coach Melvin Watkins as the new top assistant to Quin Snyder on Monday, filling a vacancy that opened in the fallout of an NCAA investigation.

Watkins, 49, resigned as the Aggies coach in March after Texas A&M went 7-21, including 0-16 in the Big 12 Conference, before losing in the first round of the league tournament. A coach for 26 years, Watkins went 60-111 in six seasons at Texas A&M after posting a 42-20 record as head coach at Charlotte.

Watkins succeeds Tony Harvey, who resigned last week as associate head coach. The NCAA has accused Harvey of paying former Tiger guard Ricky Clemons $250 and falsifying expense accounts to conceal meals purchased for high school and Amateur Athletic Union coaches. Harvey has denied giving Clemons any money.

Watkins told reporters Monday the NCAA investigation, which may not be resolved for months, didn’t deter him from accepting Snyder’s job offer.

Snyder said he had not discussed details of the investigation with Watkins, who said, “I’m like most people — on the outside looking in.

“I feel very confident with the mission and where they’re going with this program,” Watkins said.

Snyder said he couldn’t comment further on the NCAA investigation, which prompted not only Harvey’s departure but the resignation of assistant coach Lane Odom. Snyder said he had no time table for hiring Odom’s successor.

Snyder said his top priority in hiring Watkins was finding a coach of high character who could motivate players.

“We’ve got all those things in Melvin Watkins,” Snyder said. “He’s competed on the highest level. He’s coached on the highest level.”

New Missouri assistant men's basketball coach Melvin Watkins, left, talks during a news conference with Tigers head coach Quin Snyder. Watkins, who spoke Monday in Columbia, Mo., is a former head coach at Texas A&M.

Noting that Missouri defeated Texas A&M when they last played, Watkins quipped: “When you can’t beat someone, you had better join them.”

Watkins and Snyder said the new coach wouldn’t have any trouble working as an assistant after serving as a head coach.

“Quin is the head coach, and I’ve got to understand that and I do understand that,” Watkins said. “Quin is calling the shots.”

6Sports video: Watkins added to Missouri coaching staff

Snyder said he welcomed Watkins’ experience.

“I’d be crazy not to listen to suggestions,” he said.