Gary Pinkel will work for Missouri for at least three more years. (USATSI)

Former Missouri coach Gary Pinkel surprised us with his retirement announcement on Nov. 13 for health-related reasons. Pinkel was diagnosed with lymphoma in May 2015, but chose to manage it and continue coaching for a few months before announcing his decision to step down at the end of the 2015 season.

But Pinkel, Missouri's all-time winningest coach, won't be moving far away from the Tigers.

On Thursday, the University of Missouri System Board of Curators approved the contract details for Pinkel's new role as an ambassador for the school. Per an official release, Pinkel's primary duties include "assisting with fundraising opportunities and donor/fan engagement, as well as serving as a general ambassador related to public appearances and advising as requested on matters related to football and other issues."

"I am very grateful to the Board of Curators and to President Middleton, Chancellor Foley and to Mack Rhodes for this opportunity," Pinkel said. "I've said all along that when my coaching days were done, I would still need to be involved in a meaningful way, and this does that for me.

"I'm excited to be in this role where I can still provide an impact for a place that means so much to me and my family."

Pinkel agreed to a three-year deal with the school worth $950,000. The contract, which expires Dec. 31, 2018, is set to pay the former coach $350,000 in each of the first two years and $250,000 in the final year.

"We're really pleased to have Coach Pinkel continue as part of our team," Rhodes said. "It was very important for us to find the right way to keep the winningest coach in Mizzou history engaged, and we're excited for the value Gary can bring to the table going forward. Schools around the country are finding ways to keep institutional treasures like Gary Pinkel, Frank Beamer and Steve Spurrier in the fold even after they are done carrying a whistle."

Pinkel was the head coach at Missouri from 2001-15, winning 118 games along the way. I don't know if I would like to be called an institutional treasure but I don't think I'll be confused with one anyway so it's not going to be an issue.