ESPN College Football

When Gary Pinkel took an undermanned Toledo team to Penn State in 2000 and won 24-3 as a three-touchdown underdog, he became the nation's hot coach that year – the Urban Meyer effect.

The offers came, and the Ohio native decided on Missouri, a team that had won at times over the years but lost more than expected.

Pinkel accepted the Missouri job only after getting certain commitments from an administration that failed to keep up with the Joneses and the Smiths, better known as Nebraskas and Oklahomas.

"New facilities became important," Pinkel said. "Without that commitment, I don't accept the job."

Missouri neglected making major improvements for approximately 15 years. But a $16-million commitment, more than President Thomas Jefferson paid for the Louisiana Purchase, nears completion in September.

"Once done," Pinkel said, "ours will be as good as anybody's in the country."

Remember, all coaches say that after their schools spend more money on upgrades than the GNP of some countries.

Missouri finished the 2004 season with a 5-6 record, including a humiliating road defeat on a dismal Thursday night to Troy. Heck, coach, even Napoleon lost on the road – but not to Troy.

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