COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rather than linger over a disappointing SEC debut that saw the Tigers go 5-7 and break a seven-year streak of bowl appearances, Gary Pinkel showed up ready for work Monday, starting with his usual 5 a.m. weightlifting session.
Pinkel has no plans to make dramatic changes to the team's once-prolific spread offense and will retain his entire coaching staff. That doesn't mean modifications aren't in order.
The season began with high expectations for Missouri, which left the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference in hopes of building a national brand, gaining more long-term stability and reaping more TV revenue riches. Instead, the coach's 12th season in Columbia turned into one of his most trying, from lopsided losses to SEC powers, to the early season drug arrests of several freshmen, and Pinkel's divorce.
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