Pinkel, Missouri close to a contract extension

Published 2:26 pm Friday, November 21, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel and the university are close to agreeing on a contract extension.

Missouri spokesman Chad Moller says an agreement is being finalized but a deal is not complete. ESPN.com reported Friday the extension would raise Pinkel’s salary to about $2.5 million.

Pinkel’s contract, re-negotiated last December, guaranteed $1.85 million per year through 2012.

The extension comes as Washington seeks a replacement for the fired Ty Willingham. Pinkel was a longtime assistant to head coach Don James at Washington.

Pinkel is 58-39 in eight seasons at Missouri, including 21-4 the past two seasons.