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2015 was ... interesting. 2016 could be interesting, too.
Dave Matter's "people to watch in 2016" piece does a pretty good job of explaining why.
Mack Rhoades, athletics director
By the time Rhoades celebrates his one-year work anniversary in April he could face his second major personnel decision. Rhoades never expected to hire Pinkel’s successor his first year on the job. Could the AD be in the market for a new men’s basketball coach, too? Nobody knows how Rhoades will measure progress in Anderson’s second season on the bench, but after last year’s 9-23 disaster, this year’s early returns are only marginally better. Rhoades has other challenges in 2016. A new football headquarters looms as his top facility project, but questions linger on location and funding. Will Rhoades make baseball a spending priority? How will the fallout of the football boycott affect fundraising and campus leadership?
He also included Maty Mauk and Drew Lock on there, which reminded me of the impending set of awkward spring practices we've got coming up on the horizon. I keep trying to block that out for now.
"Running backs, wide receivers, one other position"
CoachingSearch.com: List: Open assistant jobs in FBS college football
Barry Odom told media he basically had his staff in place but was waiting for his remaining hires to finish their season before making it official. If that means they're coaching in a bowl game ... well, the last bowl game (sans the national title game) is Monday. If that means they're coaching in the NFL ... well, the regular season ends Sunday. We could have some news Monday or Tuesday.
Or not. I've said that like 119 times in the last two months, and I've only been right about three times.
Mizzou has always been a women's basketball school
The Trib: MU women’s basketball is fashionable choice
For the previous five years, Pingeton’s teams improved incrementally but have bumped into the ceiling of their potential, making the WNIT the last three seasons. Smaller and less athletic than most Southeastern Conference opponents, the Tigers had to rely almost exclusively on 3-point shooting.
They are more complete now with the addition of freshmen Cunningham and Cierra Porter, a skilled 6-foot-4 forward. Both are Rock Bridge graduates and are among nine players from Missouri, four from Columbia and three sets of sisters.
As for men's recruiting...
Joplin Globe: Mizzou signee Smith absent
A 6-10, 200-pound senior forward who has committed to play for the University of Missouri, Smith is a player many area fans had hoped to see in person this week at Neosho High School.
But Smith did not make the trip with the team from Arkansas for disciplinary reasons.
"He broke a team rule and sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do as a coach," Van Buren coach Randy Loyd said. "It was one of those deals where he got left at home this week. That’s all it is."
Well that stinks.
PowerMizzou: FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL RECRUITING Q&A: 12/29
The B-word
USA Today: Booster organizations provide shield for college football project details
What does one bring to a #TigerStyle white elephant exchange?
Winter break training isn't all hard work....white elephant @MizzouWrestling @MizzouAthletics pic.twitter.com/bZSUqVflbK
— Brian Smith (@mutigerstyle) December 31, 2015