SEC Football Head Coach Evaluation: Gary Pinkel

4 of 4

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Verdict . . .

Fans can argue recruiting does not matter. But I challenge any fan to come up with an explanation of how Mizzou will continue to win the SEC East, much less defeat their western counterpart in the championship game.

We have to be realists. Every program, with the exception of Vanderbilt, is on the rise in the SEC East. Unless Pinkel begins recruiting at a higher rate, Mizzou’s future could very well resemble its first year in the SEC (5-7) rather than the last two.

Much like Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, Gary Pinkel has consistently won at a school that was not used to doing so before his arrival.

Regardless of whether or not Pinkel increases his recruiting success, the man can coach. He has put himself and Mizzou football in categories with Steve Spurrier, Florida State, and Alabama. The one thing these three have in common that Pinkel does not, however, is at least one national championship.

As long as Pinkel is lead the Mizzou Tigers, fans can expect bowl appearances and an occasional division championship. Occasional, not two out of three like he managed in his first years in the SEC.

While I do not foresee Gary Pinkel leading the Tigers to a national championship, the man gets the Southbound and Down thumbs up. Having elevated the Missouri Tigers football program, he will be encouraged to keep winning at Mizzou as long as he wants. . . and deserves the opportunity to pursue that elusive conference championship.

All Gary Pinkel records and stats taken from mutigers.com

All Mizzouri recruiting rankings taken from 247sports.com

More from Southbound and Down

Home/Missouri Tigers

SEC Football Head Coach Evaluation: Missouri Tigers’ Gary Pinkel

By John Richardson | Jul 18, 2015

More from Southbound and Down