Gary Pinkel
Encyclopedia
Gary Robin Pinkel is an American football
coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Missouri
, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1991 to 2000, Pinkel coached at the University of Toledo
, where his team won a Mid-American Conference
championship in 1995. Before becoming a head coach, he was an assistant at the University of Washington
, where he served as Don James's offensive coordinator
.
in Akron, Ohio
, and received his bachelor of science degree in education from Kent State University
in 1973, where he played tight end
under James. His roommate at Kent was Pittsburgh Steelers
great Jack Lambert. He did post-graduate studies at Kent and Bowling Green State University
, and in 1997 was inducted into the Kent Athletic Hall of Fame.
to seven bowl games in 10 years, winning three. The first was in 2003, a 27–14 loss to Arkansas
, and the second was a thrilling 38–31 come-from-behind win over the University of South Carolina
on December 30, 2005. Missouri then lost to Oregon State, 39–38, in the Brut Sun Bowl. In 2007, a historic year for the Mizzou program, Pinkel led his team to a #1 AP ranking at the end of the regular season after finishing 11–1. They then fell to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship game, and played in the Cotton Bowl Classic against the University of Arkansas. The Tigers throttled the Razorbacks, strolling to an easy 38–7 victory and a final season ranking of #4 in the AP Poll.
Pinkel's other accomplishments while at Mizzou include ending the Tigers 24-year losing streak to the Nebraska Cornhuskers
in 2003 with a 41–24 win in Columbia, Missouri
. Since this win, the two schools have had an intense rivalry, with the teams splitting the series at 3–3.
In 2006, Pinkel led the Tigers to a 6–0 start, the team's first 6–0 start since 1973. However, as the team entered the Big 12 portion of the schedule, things soon fell apart and the team finished 8–5.
Pinkel's teams have struggled against ranked opponents. In his career at Missouri, Pinkel's teams are 8–24 against teams ranked in the AP top 25 and 3–13 against teams ranked in the top 15 (as of 12/28/10). Additionally, only four of the ranked teams defeated finished the season in the rankings Nebraska (2003), Texas Tech (2007), Kansas (2007), Oklahoma (2010).
Despite these successes, early on Gary Pinkel struggled against non-conference opponents from non-BCS conferences. In each of his first two seasons at Missouri, the team lost to Bowling Green State University
. The next year, Missouri survived Middle Tennessee State University
at home by one point. That was followed up the next year with a loss at Troy University
on ESPN
. In 2005 Pinkel's Tigers lost to the University of New Mexico
at home.
During the 2007 season
, Pinkel guided the Tigers to a 12–2 season with an average of 40 points per game, a Big 12 North Championship, and a 38–7 Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Arkansas. The season's most memorable moment came when Missouri defeated rival Kansas 36–28 on a nationally televised game at Arrowhead Stadium. The win propelled Missouri to the #1 ranking and ruined Kansas' previously unbeaten record. The only losses during the season were against the Oklahoma Sooners
. The first loss was in Norman, Oklahoma
and the second was in the Big 12 Championship. Pinkel’s Tigers were tied with the Sooners at half time but ended up losing. If the Tigers had won they might have retained their then number one BCS ranking
and could have played for the BCS National Championship
.
In 2008, Pinkel guided his Tigers to a second consecutive Big 12 North title and a chance to have back to back double digit win seasons. After their tremendous 2007 season, 2008 might have been considered a disappointment with four losses including one to rival Kansas and again to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game, but on December 29 Missouri helped redeem their season by defeating Northwestern
30–23 in an overtime win at the Alamo Bowl
. During the 2008 season Missouri’s potent offensive averaged 43 points per game. Despite four tough losses, the 2008 campaign concluded with a Big 12 North Championship, the first back to back 10 win season in Missouri history and an Alamo Bowl Championship.
On November 25, 2008, Pinkel signed a new seven-year contract that would bring him $2.3 million per year, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2015.
On October 23, 2010, Pinkel guided the Tigers to their first win over the Oklahoma Sooners
since 1998, winning 36-27. The Sooners were ranked #1 in the BCS Poll at the time, leading to the third straight week that a #1 team lost.
Pinkel is the third winningest coach in Mizzou history, behind only Hall of Famers Don Faurot
and Dan Devine
.
with his wife and three children. An avid motorcyclist
, he is often spotted on the Columbia streets riding his Harley Davidson. On November 16, 2011, Pinkel was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He later plead guilty to the charges and was disciplined by the school which included; a one game suspension, salary frozen for a year, no bowl bonus, and approximately $300,000 in fines.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1991 to 2000, Pinkel coached at the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
, where his team won a Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
championship in 1995. Before becoming a head coach, he was an assistant at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, where he served as Don James's offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
.
Early years
Pinkel graduated from Kenmore High SchoolKenmore High School
Kenmore High School is a public high school in Akron, Ohio. It is 1 of 7 high schools in the Akron Public Schools district. The schools mascot is the Cardinals. They are a member of the Akron City Series athletic conference.-History:...
in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, and received his bachelor of science degree in education from Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
in 1973, where he played tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
under James. His roommate at Kent was Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
great Jack Lambert. He did post-graduate studies at Kent and Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
, and in 1997 was inducted into the Kent Athletic Hall of Fame.
Missouri
Since arriving at Missouri in November 2000, Pinkel has guided the TigersMissouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
to seven bowl games in 10 years, winning three. The first was in 2003, a 27–14 loss to Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, and the second was a thrilling 38–31 come-from-behind win over the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
on December 30, 2005. Missouri then lost to Oregon State, 39–38, in the Brut Sun Bowl. In 2007, a historic year for the Mizzou program, Pinkel led his team to a #1 AP ranking at the end of the regular season after finishing 11–1. They then fell to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship game, and played in the Cotton Bowl Classic against the University of Arkansas. The Tigers throttled the Razorbacks, strolling to an easy 38–7 victory and a final season ranking of #4 in the AP Poll.
Pinkel's other accomplishments while at Mizzou include ending the Tigers 24-year losing streak to the Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
in 2003 with a 41–24 win in Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
. Since this win, the two schools have had an intense rivalry, with the teams splitting the series at 3–3.
In 2006, Pinkel led the Tigers to a 6–0 start, the team's first 6–0 start since 1973. However, as the team entered the Big 12 portion of the schedule, things soon fell apart and the team finished 8–5.
Pinkel's teams have struggled against ranked opponents. In his career at Missouri, Pinkel's teams are 8–24 against teams ranked in the AP top 25 and 3–13 against teams ranked in the top 15 (as of 12/28/10). Additionally, only four of the ranked teams defeated finished the season in the rankings Nebraska (2003), Texas Tech (2007), Kansas (2007), Oklahoma (2010).
Despite these successes, early on Gary Pinkel struggled against non-conference opponents from non-BCS conferences. In each of his first two seasons at Missouri, the team lost to Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
. The next year, Missouri survived Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
at home by one point. That was followed up the next year with a loss at Troy University
Troy University
Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. In 2005 Pinkel's Tigers lost to the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
at home.
During the 2007 season
2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
, Pinkel guided the Tigers to a 12–2 season with an average of 40 points per game, a Big 12 North Championship, and a 38–7 Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Arkansas. The season's most memorable moment came when Missouri defeated rival Kansas 36–28 on a nationally televised game at Arrowhead Stadium. The win propelled Missouri to the #1 ranking and ruined Kansas' previously unbeaten record. The only losses during the season were against the Oklahoma Sooners
2007 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 2007 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 2007-2008, winning the Big 12 Conference Championship for the fifth time in eight years. The team was led by head coach Bob Stoops...
. The first loss was in Norman, Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
and the second was in the Big 12 Championship. Pinkel’s Tigers were tied with the Sooners at half time but ended up losing. If the Tigers had won they might have retained their then number one BCS ranking
2007 BCS computer rankings
The 2007 BCS computer rankings are a part of the Bowl Championship Series formula that determines who plays in the BCS National Championship Game as well as several other bowl games. Each computer system was developed using different methods which attempts to rank the teams performance...
and could have played for the BCS National Championship
2008 BCS National Championship Game
The 2008 Allstate BCS National Championship Game was played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Monday, January 7, 2008, and featured the #1 and #2 college football teams in the United States as determined by the BCS Poll to decide the BCS National Championship for the 2007...
.
In 2008, Pinkel guided his Tigers to a second consecutive Big 12 North title and a chance to have back to back double digit win seasons. After their tremendous 2007 season, 2008 might have been considered a disappointment with four losses including one to rival Kansas and again to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game, but on December 29 Missouri helped redeem their season by defeating Northwestern
2008 Northwestern Wildcats football team
The 2008 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the Big Ten during the 2008–2009 college football season. Pat Fitzgerald, in his third season at Northwestern, was the team's head coach...
30–23 in an overtime win at the Alamo Bowl
2008 Alamo Bowl
The 2008 Valero Alamo Bowl is a college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–2009 bowl season of the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 2008 game was the 16th annual edition of the contest, the second to be sponsored by Valero Energy Corporation, and was played on December 29,...
. During the 2008 season Missouri’s potent offensive averaged 43 points per game. Despite four tough losses, the 2008 campaign concluded with a Big 12 North Championship, the first back to back 10 win season in Missouri history and an Alamo Bowl Championship.
On November 25, 2008, Pinkel signed a new seven-year contract that would bring him $2.3 million per year, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2015.
On October 23, 2010, Pinkel guided the Tigers to their first win over the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners
The University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,...
since 1998, winning 36-27. The Sooners were ranked #1 in the BCS Poll at the time, leading to the third straight week that a #1 team lost.
Pinkel is the third winningest coach in Mizzou history, behind only Hall of Famers Don Faurot
Don Faurot
Donald Burrows Faurot was an American football and basketball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, now Truman State University, from 1926 to 1934 and at the University of Missouri from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1956...
and Dan Devine
Dan Devine
Daniel John Devine was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach football coach at Arizona State University from 1955 to 1957, the University of Missouri from 1958 to 1970, and the University of Notre Dame from 1975 to 1980, compiling a career college football mark of...
.
Personal
Pinkel lives in Columbia, MissouriColumbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
with his wife and three children. An avid motorcyclist
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
, he is often spotted on the Columbia streets riding his Harley Davidson. On November 16, 2011, Pinkel was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He later plead guilty to the charges and was disciplined by the school which included; a one game suspension, salary frozen for a year, no bowl bonus, and approximately $300,000 in fines.