His stellar work at a mid-level football powerhouse has earned Gary Pinkel an opportunity at repeating that success at a more high-profile school. SportsLine.com learned Wednesday that the Toledo coach has agreed to a contract at the University of Missouri.
Barring unexpected hangups in contract details, the school will officially announce the hiring of Pinkel, who replaces Larry Smith, at a Thursday news conference at 3 p.m. ET. SportsLine.com confirmed the choice of Pinkel, who is expected to sign a five-year contract worth about $600,000 annually, through athletic department sources at both Missouri and Toledo.
"Let's face it, we knew this day would eventually come," said a Toledo source.
Toledo athletic director Pete Liske confirmed the move Wednesday night.
"It's certainly a loss to our program, but the program is still on strong footing," Liske said. "As good a coach as he is, he's an even better person. He will be missed."
In 10 seasons at the Mid-American Conference school, Pinkel, 48, had a record of 73-37-3, including a 10-1 mark this season. The Rockets are currently ranked No. 25 in the country.
Pinkel might not have been the first choice of Missouri athletic director Mike Alden, but he quickly rose near the top of the school's "short list" and impressed university officials during a Tuesday visit to the Columbia, Mo., campus. It was believed that Alden would pursue longtime friend and current TCU coach Dennis Franchione, and there were several discussions between the two men in the wake of Smith's dismissal on Nov. 18.
It became apparent, however, that Franchione might land elsewhere, perhaps Arizona State, and Alden went hard after Pinkel, who was also a candidate at the University of Arizona.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
