Gary Pinkel makes the tough call

Gary Pinkel has been a staple of the Missouri Tigers football program since taking the head coaching position back in 2001. Pinkel was already a hardened veteran of college football at the time of his hire, having been at the University of Toledo for the previous 10 seasons in the same role.

Now, Pinkel is stepping away from Missouri for health reasons, something of a terrible shame. The 63-year-old is likely looking at retirement because of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which he was diagnosed with in May. Many sports fans in that area are well aware of cancer striking it’s sports icons, with Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry getting Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last winter. Hopefully Pinkel has the same results as Berry, who whipped up on cancer and returned to football eight months later with a clean bill of health.

For Pinkel, the decision to step down was agonizing, but he made the best move for both his health and his family, per ESPN.

“This job, it’s every minute of every day, you’ve got to give all your energy, put everything into it,” Pinkel said. “Is that the right way to spend my time? I decided at that time I was going to embrace the healthy times and battle when the tough times come.”

In his 16 years with the Tigers, Pinkel saw plenty of great players and ample change. He presided over a national championship contender in the middle of the decade when Chase Daniel was at the helm, throwing to future first-round pick Jeremy Maclin. Later on, Pinkel would watch as Missouri moved from the Big 12 to the SEC, and went to the conference championship game immediately.

While Missouri is struggling this year because of offensive woes, Pinkel has enjoyed a great run that includes two SEC East titles and three Big 12 North championships. For a program never known as one of the powerhouses in the country, Pinkel stepped in and guided it through a decade-plus of excellence, showing that the Tigers can be a contender at the highest level.

For the head coach, he leaves behind plenty of memories and a legacy as a man who loved the game. Last year, Pinkel was named the SEC Coach of the Year.

“They pay these guys to coach football? Can life get better than that?” Pinkel said. “I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

It is uncertain who will follow Pinkel at Missouri, but the shoes will be large. The Tigers are now one of the top program in America playing in the best conference the nation has to offer. The job should attract top candidates hoping to make a name and earn some victories.

For now, Missouri will play out the string and miss Pinkel, who left behind one heck of a legacy as both a man and coach.