re: Head Coach Gary Pinkel Love and Appreciation Thread.

I wrote it in another thread, but I loved his cockiness and the arrogance of WDWWD - especially when he was rolling. His self-confidence in himself and his system was almost Mike Martzian.

And I love how players weren't just pieces of meat to him. He wanted them to succeed and change the course of their life (and the lives of their children) through their association with him and a University of Missouri degree.

His word was his bond for a full four years - to the point of hamstringing his roster at times - all while his coaching contemporaries were running sausage factories. You honestly felt sorry for kids who chose places like Tennessee because you know a third of them will get processed or never graduate.

Yes, he never won the big one.
Yes, he was sometimes loyal to a fault.
But dammit, he was loyal!!

He earned the love and respect of players and fans alike and I'm going to miss him.

It almost feels like a death in the family. Like when Whitey Herzog left too soon. I got the sads.