After rumors had surfaced recently about the possibility Gary Pinkel may be enticed to coach at Washington, the University of Missouri stepped up with a contract extension that will make him one of the highest paid coaches.
According to ESPN.com’s Pat Forde, one of his sources said that Pinkel is being given an extension and a raise to $2.5 million per year. Pinkel, who was an assistant under one-time Washington head coach Don James, had his name thrown around as a possible replacement for Tyrone Willingham.
The article also mentions that offensive coordinator Dave Christensen and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus could become highly sought out candidates for their own head coaching positions.
The Kansas City Star is saying Christensen could go to Wyoming. Forde is reporting New Mexico.
Pinkel’s $2.5 million per year contract will put him just behind coaches likes Pete Carrol of USC (app. $2.78 million), Kirk Ferentz of Iowa (app. $2.84 million), Bob Stoops of OU (app. $3.45 million) and Nick Saban of Alabama (app. $4 milliion) source Yahoo.com.