ESPN: Pinkel says he's not making any moves, staying at Mizzou

|Zach| · 12-15-2007, 05:44 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3156300

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Scratch Gary Pinkel's name off other schools' wish lists.

Missouri's coach has become a bit of a hot commodity in his seventh season, leading the Tigers to No. 1 before losing in the Big 12 championship game. But on Saturday, as the team returned to practice for the Cotton Bowl, Pinkel said he was staying put.

"I'm going to stay at Missouri," Pinkel told The Associated Press. "I'm very committed here. We've made a lot of gains this year and I'm just going to try to keep working hard and keep building the program."

Pinkel, 55, said he'd like to end his career at Missouri.

"I would hope so," he said. "You never know. Generally in this business they get rid of you, you don't get rid of them."

Pinkel is seventh among Big 12 coaches in terms of salary at $1.3 million and is in line for a raise after the bowl game that could significantly boost his compensation. He said he hasn't reassured players he's not looking to jump for a bigger payday, and players said they didn't need him to say anything.

"He's on the same mission that he sold us on when he was recruiting us," senior tight end Martin Rucker said. "I definitely didn't think he would leave.

"He's got a great thing going here and he's a very loyal guy."

Pinkel was on the latest list of candidates for the Michigan job. Quarterback Chase Daniel, a junior, said that's the kind of thing that goes with the territory.

"He's a hot name out there," Daniel said. "You take a Missouri team to 11-2 and why wouldn't your name be thrown out there with the elite jobs?"

Pinkel's profile reflects patience. He was at Toledo for 10 years before Missouri hired him in 2000. He's 48-36 at Missouri, totaling 19 wins the last two years, and won the school's first Big 12 North title by beating Kansas. The Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl matchup against Arkansas will be the school's fourth bowl berth in five years and is a significant step up in prestige despite Missouri's plunge from the BCS picture.

"The Cotton Bowl is a great bowl," Pinkel said. "This is a great way to finish the season. We're 11-2 and there's a lot of stuff out there."

Notes
TE Chase Coffman, who missed the Big 12 championship game with bone spurs in right ankle, was a full participant in practice. "He didn't look bad," Pinkel said. "It's nice to see him back." ... Missouri will practice daily, taking Wednesday off, through Saturday before releasing players for a three-day Christmas holiday, and leave for Dallas on Dec. 26. "We'll get our minds right, and then get ready for the game," Daniel said. ... Several players, including Lorenzo Williams, Rucker and Spieker, participated in graduation ceremonies Saturday afternoon.

12-15-2007, 05:44 PM	Topic Starter
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5366768	ESPN: Pinkel says he's not making any moves, staying at Mizzou http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3156300 COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Scratch Gary Pinkel's name off other schools' wish lists. Missouri's coach has become a bit of a hot commodity in his seventh season, leading the Tigers to No. 1 before losing in the Big 12 championship game. But on Saturday, as the team returned to practice for the Cotton Bowl, Pinkel said he was staying put. "I'm going to stay at Missouri," Pinkel told The Associated Press. "I'm very committed here. We've made a lot of gains this year and I'm just going to try to keep working hard and keep building the program." Pinkel, 55, said he'd like to end his career at Missouri. "I would hope so," he said. "You never know. Generally in this business they get rid of you, you don't get rid of them." Pinkel is seventh among Big 12 coaches in terms of salary at $1.3 million and is in line for a raise after the bowl game that could significantly boost his compensation. He said he hasn't reassured players he's not looking to jump for a bigger payday, and players said they didn't need him to say anything. "He's on the same mission that he sold us on when he was recruiting us," senior tight end Martin Rucker said. "I definitely didn't think he would leave. "He's got a great thing going here and he's a very loyal guy." Pinkel was on the latest list of candidates for the Michigan job. Quarterback Chase Daniel, a junior, said that's the kind of thing that goes with the territory. "He's a hot name out there," Daniel said. "You take a Missouri team to 11-2 and why wouldn't your name be thrown out there with the elite jobs?" Pinkel's profile reflects patience. He was at Toledo for 10 years before Missouri hired him in 2000. He's 48-36 at Missouri, totaling 19 wins the last two years, and won the school's first Big 12 North title by beating Kansas. The Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl matchup against Arkansas will be the school's fourth bowl berth in five years and is a significant step up in prestige despite Missouri's plunge from the BCS picture. "The Cotton Bowl is a great bowl," Pinkel said. "This is a great way to finish the season. We're 11-2 and there's a lot of stuff out there." Notes TE Chase Coffman, who missed the Big 12 championship game with bone spurs in right ankle, was a full participant in practice. "He didn't look bad," Pinkel said. "It's nice to see him back." ... Missouri will practice daily, taking Wednesday off, through Saturday before releasing players for a three-day Christmas holiday, and leave for Dallas on Dec. 26. "We'll get our minds right, and then get ready for the game," Daniel said. ... Several players, including Lorenzo Williams, Rucker and Spieker, participated in graduation ceremonies Saturday afternoon.
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