Tennessee Volunteers

Mizzou AD Rhoades thinks retiring Pinkel 'can be great asset' to program

Published Nov. 16, 2015 5:18 p.m. ET

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Current Missouri athletic director Mack Rhoades lauded head football coach Gary Pinkel on Monday, in the wake of Pinkel's retirement due to health reasons.

Rhoades came to Columbia in March, after previously holding the same post at the University of Houston for six years. Only two months into the position, Pinkel told Rhoades in May of his diagnosis. It was something the athletic director understandably kept under wraps.

"My immediate reaction was shock. Sad," said Rhoades. "I was aware of his diagnosis. He reached out to me in May. We'll always want what's best for him and his family. I know he did it for the right reasons."

Pinkel's time in Columbia has been a revolutionary one for the football team. He's taken the program to new heights -- which includes 118 career wins, five division titles, and five seasons of at least 10 wins. The mass amount of experience he has accrued during his 15-year career at Mizzou is certainly something Rhoades can utilize when hiring the next head coach.

A position within the athletic department could also a potential possibility down the road.

"I think he can certainly be a great asset to this institution," said Rhoades. "He's certainly got a lot of friends and relationships."

(h/t Columbia Daily Tribune)