Guest Column:
I'm with you, coach
Published Nov. 17, 2009
What this school needs now more than ever is spirit. What our football team needs now more than ever is support. Yes, we had plenty of hopes and dreams for this season, but, as we all know, dreams worth fighting for take time to come true. There is always that one man that has to take responsibility for their team, and Coach Pinkel that is you. Of course this is old news to the man, for he took the job as head coach for the Missouri Tigers nine years ago.
In response to The Maneater's, "You just don't have your crap together. You're not giving me any effort anymore. You're not trying." I am going to have to disagree. I find it hard to believe that anyone, sports columnists or not, knows exactly what their talking about unless they are in the zone, unless they are in the game. Are you in the locker room? Are you in the midst of their huddle? I certainly am not, but at least I am not degrading our home team and our head coach. If you are not feeling the heat, the pain, the glory, then how can you be so cruel? If anything, we should be thankful for what we have seen and experienced over these past few years with Gary Pinkel as head coach. I do recall our Tigers have been to five bowls, had a No. 1 ranking, and own the rights to two Big 12 North divisional championships.
The energy that is felt in the stadium is like no other whether we win or lose. Coach Pinkel, not that you need a random student to tell you this, but you are doing an exceptional job, and at least I know you will continue to reach for those goals you have been working so hard to achieve. The players that have been on your team over the years have been privileged enough to experience the joy and the sense of accomplishment many other football teams only dream of. It is unfortunate, Coach Pinkel, that you have to be the scapegoat for the angry students that are, in reality, just saddened by our current losses.
Personally, I am calling what we are experiencing a "restructuring period." Our team is now a young team. We recently have lost plenty of exceptional players. It is great that we set our goals so high for this season, but it is time for us to be realistic and not angry. It is a cycle that teams go through, and if you are a loyal fan, you should understand this concept. I think Blaine Gabbert is very versatile, and I have hope for him in the future seasons to come. Thankfully, I decided to tag on an extra semester, or, as I like to call it, "an extra football season." I am willing to stand by my team during this restructuring period we are in, in hopes to see an exceptional season next year. Without hope, we are just another school with a lonely stadium and no spirit. I'd rather show my Tiger pride, whether we have conquered or if we are defeated, than bring my school down. There is no need to worry, I will still be in the stands wearing my tiger ears for all to see, and I am sure the other 30,000 students that attend Mizzou will be too.
Comments (7)
9:39 p.m., Nov. 17, 2009
Bob Swindell said:
Michelle Thanks for putting it into perspective for all the "fair weather" fans I've been at Faurot for thirty years waiting for the Tigers to find their way from the wilderness. I thankful that we now view 8-4 as a rebuilding year MIZ ZOU!
10:22 p.m., Nov. 17, 2009
Erica W said:
I agree, we shouldn't be so quick to judge those who are willing to take on full responsibility. Win or lose, Coach Pinkel and of the players have done an outstanding job and I will always be proud to say I am a Mizzou Tiger! Keep the spirit alive people! M-I-Z, Z-O-U!!!
3:36 p.m., Nov. 19, 2009
Jay said:
Agreed, this is the sort of support we need. Not knee jerk reactions to single bad games. I admit that, especially after the 2005 season, I had my doubts about Pinkel. But since then, he has proven my doubts wrong. He has made our program competitive and exciting, while maintaining loyalty to his players and his assistant coaches. And as far as I know, the integrity of our program has not once been called into question during his time at Mizzou. And that, my fellow fans, is more than we could have really ever hoped for. So thanks Coach, for making our program something we can all be proud of.
7:13 p.m., Nov. 20, 2009
Bill Duncan said:
I still remember my first Mizzou game some time in the 70s. Growing up in Mexico, Missouri, the farthest we could seem to get away was Columbia. My dad was a '51 grad (one of the first WWII vets to take advantage of the original GI bill) and took me to my first game. The FCA kids from Mexico used to pile onto a school bus, go to the game, sit on the hill, before picking up stadium seats. I became a Sigma Nu at Mizzou and remember those days. It was then my parents got their season tickets...33 years ago this year. I left after two years for fear that I'd get my DWI before my BS. Though I was gone for 30 years, when I brought my family back to the area a few years ago, I was pleasantly surprised when the current roster of Tigers included the Chases and Coach P. I have had the distinct privilege of meeting Coach P and some of the other coaches. I've also met some of the student-athletes at MIZZOU. Coach P's just a regular guy -- a good guy, but a regular guy. We have run into each other in a number of different settings and he's always been polite and unassuming. Like Michelle, he doesn't look to me for validation of his program or his life, but I want to join Michelle and the others in Tiger nation who are expressing their support for this year's team. With two games left in the regular season, I want to say how great it is to be a Tiger again.
5:56 p.m., Nov. 17, 2009
Terri Terzopoulos said:
Well Said Michelle! I too, bleed Black and Gold. GO MIZZOU!