COLUMBIA - Gary Pinkel was all but out as Missouri's football coach after Saturday's loss to Texas A&M. If you believe Internet message boards.
"My daughter called me and said, "I heard you are retiring,' and I go "I am?'" Pinkel said. "I love what I do. I couldn't wait to get into work on Monday morning."
Pinkel said he didn't know where the rumors got started, but they were squashed Monday when he made it clear he would return for his 13th season at Missouri.
But with the question of whether or not Pinkel would be the head coach out of the way, there are numerous problems and deficiencies he will be in charge of fixing after the Tigers' first losing season since 2004.
On Tuesday, Pinkel reiterated he is ready to move forward and hopes Missouri's second try at the Southeastern Conference goes better than the first.