UPDATE: I believe it's safe to call this one. After 44 votes, Smith wins it, 97%-2%.
We continue with Round One of the Mizzou 25 Coaches Edition! It's time to determine who was the best, most likable, most influential Mizzou coach in the last 25 years! Competitors were seeded by more normal methods this time (as opposed to the chronological seeding of the Players Edition), and over the next week and a half, we'll be plowing through the first round matchups.
Three second round bids remain! Click here for the bracket.
5/5: 1 Norm Stewart vs 16 Cindy Stein
5/6: 8 Joann Rutherford vs 9 Jay Miller
5/7: 5 Rick McGuire vs 12 Brian Hoffer
5/8: 4 Wayne & Susan Kreklow vs 13 Brian Blitz
5/9: 6 Gene McArtor vs 11 Larry Smith
5/10: 3 Brian Smith vs 14 Jared & Rebecca Wilmes
5/12: 7 Tim Jamieson vs 10 Jake Jacobson
5/13: 2 Gary Pinkel vs 15 Quin Snyder
Let's get rolling!
3 Brian Smith vs 14 The Wilmeses |
||
|---|---|---|
 |
vs |
 
|
1998-present |
2000-present |
|
|
Five Best Athletes: Ben Askren Matt Pell Tyron Woodley Tyler McCormick Scott Barker |
Five Best Athletes: Amanda Bales Valerie Lauver Tim Ross Matt Noonan Ann Marie Brooks |
|
| A decade ago, Smith took over a moribund wrestling program and set out to build a national power, slowly but surely. He has succeeded, producing 8 All-Americans, coaching Mizzou 25 Champion Ben Askren to two national titles, and, in 2007, leading Mizzou to a #1 national ranking. In training methods and results, Mizzou Wrestling has fulfilled Brian Smith's vow of becoming a powerhouse. | In eight seasons at the helm of the Mizzou X-Country program, Jared and Rebecca Wilmes have created one of the most successful collections of student-athletes anywhere in the country. While seeing steady success in bringing numerous teams to Regional titles and NCAA Championships, the Wilmes' teams have thrived even more in the classroom, earning more Academic All-Conference and All-American awards than any other Mizzou program. | |