Coach Bruce Walker retiring

Ill? Wife says quit or I'm gone? Could be a lot of reasons.

I agree, killz. It's weird timing. And the article was pretty vague. Illness would be a possibility. A falling out seems less likely, he's been on Pinkel's staff for 18 years.

6 years younger than KA.

killz, agree!!! Timing is weird. Really seems to put Mizzou a little behind the 8 ball. Though, was he co-OLine coach? Maybe with Henson?

Per Matter article, the last coaches' contracts ran on June 30 (yesterday) so I'm sure that played a role in the timing. Hopefully, it also means that GP has known for quite some time and was just letting the contract run its course while interviewing/talking to possible replacements.

LINK

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Per Matter article, the last coaches' contracts ran on June 30 (yesterday)

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Interesting, that would explain it then, I've no doubt whenever he made his decision he let Pinkel know, it's unlikely he was "let go" after the turn around of last season, the line performed pretty well up to expectations and did it's part to land us in Atl.

Some have mentioned Coach Ofodile at Rock Bridge and A.J. Ricker (the line coach at Illinois), both Tigers, but I don't know, for a H.S. coach I might be more inclined to hire Evan Boehms dad, who clearly knows how to coach kids up for that position.

There have to be a number of good candidates already coaching someplace like Arkansas St(or Toledo), that would be a good potential hire, Pinkel found an SEC guy for the receivers coaching job he should be able to figure this out. Hopefully he doesn't put the burden on Henson to pull double duty for too long.

I understand the idea that getting someone who can recruit 5 stars out of SEC territory is appealing, but the reality of that is so small we need a guy who can coach up the 2 and 3 stars we typically land, the Tim Barnes's and Justin Britts (and Odofiles and Rickers) are the guys we will have to live on for the foreseeable future.

Good luck to Coach Walker on whatever his future holds.

From what I understand, Walker's family had moved to central Washington state a few years ago. Would not doubt that this had a lot to do with it.

He's always been employed, making pretty decent money. If he's got it saved, and moving to smalltown Washington, I could easily see him coaching the local HS, leaving the hectic world of recruiting behind.

Imo there really is no "good" timing for a coach to leave. Just before the season is bad, midseason is bad, just after the season just before signing day is bad, during spring practice is bad, this might actually be the best time when you think about it, at least for a position coach.

I'm a little fuzzy headed this AM, but the only time I remember his units (TE or OL) underperforming was when they were hit huge by injury. He's always been able to develop OL very well. It's usually a slow process though. Anyway, I think he's been great at Mizzou and hope he continues to have a good life elsewhere. Thanks Coach Walker. This is also a great opportunity to find a young up n coming coach too - what newer OL Coach wouldn't want to have Coach Henson as a mgr/leader/mentor? Either way, I'm sure CGP will have it under control.

Can Joker Phillips coach OL? He would be a hell of a recruiter.