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Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

2023 HALL OF FAME

Gary Pinkel

  • Position Head Coach, Missouri
  • Hometown Akron, Ohio
  • Classic Memories 2008 Classic: Missouri 38, Arkansas 7, 2014 Classic: Missouri 41, Oklahoma State 31

Biography

Cotton Bowl Classic Head Coaching Record: 2-0-0

Don’t mess with Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel, especially in Texas. He knocked off Arkansas 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl Classic in 2008 and then beat Oklahoma State 41-31 in 2014. Pinkel’s Tigers literally flew past the Razorbacks. Mizzou rolled up 323 rushing yards and 459 yards in total offense, produced four rushing touchdowns and returned an interception for another score. The Tigers rode the momentum of the victory to a No. 4 finish in the final national rankings. Six years later, Coach Pinkel had Missouri back in North Texas to face Oklahoma State. The SEC Eastern Division Champions led the Cowboys by a narrow 17-14 margin entering the fourth quarter, then exploded for 24 points to ice the game away and post a 41-31 victory. Missouri’s all-time winningest coach was simply unbeatable in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.