Citrus Bowl: Gary Pinkel Talks Minnesota, The SEC And Disney Fun
By Derek Franks
The Missouri Tigers were officially welcomed into Orlando earlier this week for the 2014 Citrus Bowl where they get set to take on No. 25 Minnesota.
Head coach Gary Pinkel spoke with the media in the opening press conference and it was both informative and light-hearted as the Tiger coach spoke about the tall task ahead, his team’s success in the SEC, and some ‘fond’ memories of his playing days.
Being in the Citrus Bowl brings back some… interesting memories for Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Even while the press conference was filled with a few laughs, Pinkel underscored the importance of the game:
“When you play in a game like this, obviously you play for the University of Missouri,” Pinkel said. “But you also represent the SEC. And that’s something we take really personally too.
“We’re playing a very good team in Minnesota,” he added. “I’ve known coach [Jerry] Kill for a long time. He’s just done a remarkable job. We play so many later games, I think I’ve watched four or five of their games on Saturdays before we played ours.”
That’s good for Tiger fans’ consciences. Game preparation will be key for this one, as Minnesota has some similar elements to other teams that have given the Tigers trouble in the recent past, among them, a starch running game. Mizzou fans come into this game with the painful memories of the last time MU faced a Big Ten team.
Still, the Tigers have had their share of success in the Southeastern Conference since moving from the Big 12 three seasons ago. 2014 was no different.
Pinkel guided his team to another outstanding 10-win season and the Tigers lost just one regular season conference game. There’s a lot to be said for their ability to be up to the task in a league that many questioned whether or not they belonged in after a divisive move to the SEC in 2012.
“The most important thing is being able to make sure that we get focused and get ready to play our best football game, that’s going to be really important because you’re in this environment.” -Gary Pinkel
“People ask about the success we’ve had and whether it was expected or not. The first year we came into the league, we had a lot of injuries, we missed being bowl eligible by one game. If I had coached better, we would have found a way to win one more game and I didn’t.”
Something curious happened in the 2013 season: The Tigers started winning. Pinkel believes that the most important aspect of that success stems from consistency.
“I think understanding when you play in this league, it’s so remarkably competitive and it’s a fourth quarter league, you have to win games to fourth quarter. It’s a battle; I call it the ‘gauntlet’ when you start league play. But I don’t have the magic formula. We didn’t change anything; we did what we do. We always try to recruit the best players and our player development was the same. We’re very fortunate we’ve had some success and hopefully it’ll continue.”
In just three season is in the conference– regarded by many as one of the toughest leagues in college football– Pinkel and the Tigers have emerged with two division titles and conference championship berths, already more than Pinkel was able to accomplish in the Big 12.
When asked to compare the SEC play to the days competing in the Big 12, Pinkel praised his program’s former league, then explained why the Southeastern Conference is better— and more challenging.
“The Big 12 is a really good league, there are some great teams there,” Pinkel said. “But in the SEC, there’s consistently more high level teams you play year in and year out. Everybody’s good; anyone can beat you in this league. That’s kind of the difference…
“It’s a line of scrimmage league, the SEC is,” coach added. “You have to be good up front, if you’re not good up front, you’re not going to survive. That’s probably more so than any league I’ve ever been associated with.”
Live Feed
South Bound & Down
Of course, with the game being in Orlando, there are lots of sights to see– so many activities. One has to wonder how the head coach of a visiting football team can keep his team focused.
“The most important thing is being able to make sure that we get focused and get ready to play our best football game, that’s going to be really important because you’re in this environment; there are so many things to do. I want our players to enjoy themselves; I want them to have a good time, this is a great place. But bottom line, 48 hours before, you got to be able to lock up and ultimately play your best.”
Interesting to note, Pinkel played on the Citrus Bowl field during his college days with Kent State. So it will be a happy return for him as he leads the Tigers on New Years Day.
“They’ve asked me about any experiences I had playing in the Tangerine Bowl when I played there in 1972; we played Tampa. And what I do remember is in the second quarter, about three minutes left, I hurt my knee. So they picked me up and took me into the locker room.
“And went I went in there, Mickey Mouse was in there. And Donald Duck was in there. And Minni Mouse. And they’re like four feet high. And I’m sitting there and my knee is really bothering me. The trainer’s with me. I’m laying on this table. And all four of them are lined up next to me just kind of looking at me. Finally, I said, “Do you mind… if you guys can go somewhere else, please’ [Laughs]. They went on, I guess, to do a great half time show. So, I vividly remember that.”
It’s all fun and games for Pinkel until he’s being stared down by Disney characters.
Hopefully he’ll vividly remember guiding the Tigers to a victory over a tough Minnesota team in the 2014 Citrus Bowl on January 1.