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Start the statue plans: Gary Pinkel is a CFB Hall of Famer

Mizzou Links for January 11, 2022.

By Josh Matejka

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Anyone know a good statue designer?

We all knew it was coming, but it feels good to have the matter officially on the record.

Just over six years after he officially retired from his position as Missouri’s head football coach, Gary Pinkel is officially headed to the College Football Hall of Fame.

It’s not hyperbole to say this is a historic moment for the Mizzou program. The Tigers haven’t had anyone affiliated elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in almost 20 years.

Pinkel’s enshrinement will be the first for an MU coach or player since cornerback Roger Wehrli was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Pinkel will join Don Faurot, Frank Broyles, Bill Roper, Dan Devine and Jim Phelan as former Missouri coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame. Pinkel is the 13th former Tigers coach or player to be inducted.

There’s no doubt the honor is well-deserved. During his 15-year tenure in Columbia, Pinkel led the Tigers to more bowl games than the program had been to in the 28 years prior. He also led Missouri to five division championships, including three Big 12 North titles from 2007 to 2010 and back-to-back SEC East titles in 2013 and 2014. That’s not even beginning to mention his career at Toledo, where he remains the all-time winningest head coach. Just bonus stuff, no big deal.

It’s long been a joke-but-not-really in Mizzou circles that Pinkel will one day have a statue outside of Faurot Field, and now it feels like the campaign can begin in earnest.

Like... yeah, that’s an obvious call.

To celebrate the occasion, Mizzou Football posted a quick highlight reel of Pinkel’s biggest moments, including his introductory press conference and moments from his biggest bowl wins.

Great, now I’m crying again.

Yesterday at Rock M

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  • Kobe Brown surely would’ve taken the win over No. 15 Alabama on its own, but now he’s got an extra feather to put in his cap.

It’s a well-deserved honor for the junior, who posted a career-high 30 points and an additional 13 rebounds in the 92-86 upset over the Tide.

Kind of a weird set up for the Tigers, who will play the first seven games of the season on the road before their season opener on March 4 against Tarleton State. Their slate is packed with rivalry games as well, with Illinois, kansas, Missouri State and SLU all popping up in the spread out non-conference. The Tigers also face a tough task at the beginning of SEC play, travelling to Nashville for a three-game series with Vanderbilt.

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