Before the Missouri Tigers season finale against Iowa State, running back Damien Nash was asked to speculate on what off-season changes might occur with the Missouri football team. He decided not to answer that question. Apparently the first change will be his departure. Nash told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday that he will not be back with the team in 2005 and head coach Gary Pinkel confirmed it with a press release last night. In the release Pinkel said, “We certainly had hoped to have Damien with us next year , and while it’s disappointing to see him go, we’ll do everything we can to assist him with his future plans.” Nash rushed for 817 yards and seven touchdowns in 2004, as the Tigers lost five straight, but ended the season 5-6 after beating Iowa St. 17-14 in overtime Saturday. Before the game, Nash described the season as “worthless”. After Missouri blew a 17-point lead to Oklahoma St., Nash talked to a columnist from the Kansas City Star and questioned some of the play-calling. Those remarks were published. Nash was subsequently suspended from the next game against Nebraska. If he is granted a release from his scholarship, Nash can transfer to another Division-I school without sitting out a year. If he chooses, Nash can transfer to a Division-II school without waiting out, regardless of what MU decides. But Nash may be looking beyond college. In yesterday’s statement, Pinkel added “(Nash has) indicated a desire to explore professional opportunities, and we will begin helping him with that process right now, as well as other potential options.”
