Michigan's Newest Target: Gary Pinkel

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I have to tell you, I'm offended. It seems as though the University of Michigan is interested in everybody (Brady Hoke? Really?) as Lloyd Carr's replacement, and I want to know why nobody's called me. You should see me on my Playstation. I've won back to back national titles with Baylor, people. Baylor.

Still, apparently that's not good enough for the head honchos up in Ann Arbor, because my phone sits here silent. Instead they're trying to figure out a way to get Missouri's Gary Pinkel.

MU coach Gary Pinkel now could be coveted by many other schools seeking coaches, including Michigan, the winningest program in college football history.

So now we can add Pinkel's name to the list of candidates that once included Les Miles, and has had Greg Schiano's name floating around lately as well. Though just because Michigan's interested in Pinkel, it doesn't mean Pinkel is interested in Michigan, yet anyway. When asked about the job, Gary made that much clear.

"I'm not commenting on fiction," Pinkel told the Post-Dispatch, adding, "Nobody's contacted me."

Notice he never said that if Michigan did contact him, that he wouldn't listen. He'd be stupid not to, and Michigan would be stupid not to call Pinkel.

Over the last few years Pinkel has built a top program at Missouri, and has the team going to it's first New Year's Day bowl since 1970. Still, Pinkel is a loyal guy, so who knows if he'd really leave Missouri. Of course, loyalty is nice, but if Michigan drives a truck load of money up to his front door, Gary could survive without it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-04-2007 @ 6:20PM

BoinMO said...

Why doesn't Michigan promote from within and hire one of their assistant coaches? If they every contact Gary Pinkel...I hope he gives them the cold shoulder...he is building a very solid program in Missouri.

12-04-2007 @ 6:52PM

homer2931 said...

I won 4 in a row with friggin Temple. I applied, so I expect a call pretty soon.

12-04-2007 @ 9:10PM

KGar said...

Pinkel has some pretty good athletes at Mizzou and considering the Michigan job would be a serious step down at this point, don't expect him to leave soon. Tradition is great , kind of like saying dial up is far superior to high speed. Big 11 is like the rest of the rustbelt, slow and way behind the times.

12-05-2007 @ 1:14AM

tankthecrank said...

I would like to hear these names mentioned as a possible replacement for Lloyd Carr (at least I have not heard before). All of these men have head coaching experience and seem to have what Michigan is looking for in a head coach. From Navy, Head Coach Paul Johnson, from Southern Florida, Head Coach Jim Leavitt, from Ohio University, Head Coach Frank Solich and from Southern Miss, former Head Coach Jeff Bower. Each one of these men deserve a look, but I would give a real hard look at Frank Solich. I think he is the cream of this group.

12-05-2007 @ 10:09AM

Scalz1 said...

Michigan a "serious step down" from Mizzou. Do you even look at what you're typing ?

12-05-2007 @ 10:54AM

mcspartan5 said...

#3 - "a serious step down"? You gotta be kidding! I'm a OU fan & I feel the Mizzou f-ball has greatly improved. However, they have a LONG way to go to even think about comparing themselves to Mich. 1st bowl game since 1970, don't let this year go to your head. GO SOONERS!

12-05-2007 @ 12:47PM

carolinabuckeye said...

Being a Buckeye fan, referring to Michigan as a program in decline is comparable to calling Bush a good President........NOT, NFW! Big Blue may have had a down year but they didn't get where they are as the Winningest Program and slide into the history books with one bad season. Mizzou DID have a good year but they shouldn't even compare themselves to Michigan. We feel their pain, but Love It....there is NOTHING like the OSU/UM Rivalry. Go Big Ten!

12-05-2007 @ 2:12PM

David Stapert said...

A name not mentioned much is Brian Kelly the head coach at Cincinati. He's a proven winner developing championship teams at Grand Valley State U., and Central Michigan U. He runs a wide open offense (which Michigan could dearly use) and a hard nosed
defense. He's successfully recruited in the midwest
which would be of great value. Not a big name NOW
but he will be in the near future.

12-05-2007 @ 5:02PM

michael hassen said...

Mizz not to say nothing bad about their program but OH PLEASE, Go BLUE

12-05-2007 @ 5:45PM

flounder said...

Two words.... Les Miles. Don't believe him. He's going. That's why Michigan hasn't been pursuing anyone very aggressively. They are just biding their time until 1/9/08.

12-05-2007 @ 6:35PM

Ted McClure said...

I agree Brady Hoke is not likely to get the Michigan job. Not exactly the brightest guy in the world. He has talent at Ball State...so, he has done a nice job recruiting. But, he still can't win the big games and I don't thing the Wolverines want a guy who can't win the big games. While at Ball State, Hoke has not won the conference and I believe the 7-5 record this season is his best. The teams he played on at Ball State were at least winning the conference.

12-05-2007 @ 7:15PM

Steve said...

#7 Carolina Buckeye. Thanks for the tip o the hat. See ya next November. By the way. I miss Coop, but to tell the truth, not as much as I miss Woody. When we beat him, we beat the best Ohio had to put up.

12-05-2007 @ 11:23PM

sr72950 said...

If Michigan calls, Pinkle will break his legs getting out of Columbia MO. Anybody remember Dan Devine of Mizzou and his recruitment by Don Farout?? So much for Mizzou loyalty. We can't buy respect at Mizzou.Why stick around with a team that breaks your heart every year? Lastly, Arkansas will kick our butts in Cotton Bowl.

12-06-2007 @ 7:14AM

EskinSux said...

Maybe they should hire Appaliachian States coach.....LMAO

12-06-2007 @ 5:27PM

Adam said...

Why doesnt anyone mention Bobby Petrino that guy would leave Atlanta for the Michigan job but nobody gives him any love. That guy can flat out coach QB´s & is a great recruiter. I also like the Boise State coach he would just have to hire a dang good defensive coordinator & that doesnt mean Ron English that guys not that good.

12-29-2007 @ 11:33PM

BONNIE said...

I AM A LOUISIANA SOONER AND I AM GLAD TO SEE MISSOURRI GAINING MORE AND MORE FOOTBALL POWER. THEY ARE LONG OVERDUE. SO CONGRATS MISSOU. ALSO I THINK THAT LES MILES DID AN INJUSTICE TO LSU AND HIS PLAYERS FROM THE GET GO BY NOT COMING RIGHT OUT AND SAYING HE HAD NO INTEREST IN MICHIGAN AND HAD NOT TALKED TO ANYONE. I THINK HE WOULD HAVE GONE BUT SOME THINGS JUST DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR HIM. I FOR ONE DON'T THINK HE IS ANY BETTER THAN SABAN WAS AND HE HAS NOT WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP YET. I THINK HE IS CONVINCED THAT HE CANNOT BE BEAT IN THAT GAME BUT ONLY TIME AND TALENT WILL TELL. I AM A LSU FAN BUT I AM SICK OF HEARING ABOUT LES MILES AND HOW GREAT HE IS. HE HASN'T DONE ANY MORE THAN A LOT OF COACHES HAVE DONE.

12-29-2007 @ 11:38PM

GO OKLAHOMA SOONERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!