Missouri Tigers: Former D-Lineman, Pitts, Joins Coaching Staff

For Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel, is this a “ghost of Christmas past” or a building block to the future? Regardless of which it is– not all ghosts are bad, you know– this is good news for the program.

Former Mizzou defensive lineman Phil Pitts is returning to his old stomping grounds in Columbia and joining the Tiger coaching staff as a defensive analyst. In what has been already an eventful offseason for the MU football program, Pitts makes a splash during what has been high times for defensive lineman for Missouri.

Gary Pinkel has been hard at work helping the Missouri Tigers reassemble their defensive coaching staff. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The news announced via press release by the University’s athletic department comes during a flurry of coaching changes for the program, specifically for the defensive side of things.

Defensive coordinator Dave Steckel bolted for the head coaching job at Missouri State, which gave way to hiring Barry Odom away from Memphis to fill that position. Linebackers coach Alex Grinch also departed in recent weeks to take the coordinator job at Washington State.

Pitts arrives to a situation that is very much in flux.

Still, it’s a good time to be a Missouri Tiger, especially on the football field. Coming off back to back SEC Championship game appearances and New Years Day bowl wins, the Tigers have leaned heavily on the defense to be successful. And despite the recent changes, the expectation is high that the success can continue.

Pitts played 40 games for the Missouri Tigers back at the waning moments of Pinkel’s career as the Mizzou head coach from 2001-2004. He was an intricate part to Missouri establishing its defensive identity while the building process was in full swing for Pinkel.

Who knows what kind of implications this move has down the road. Perhaps we’re talking about the future next defensive coordinator for Missouri here.

Upon finishing his career, Pitts returned to his hometown of Jefferson City and joined the coaching staff at Helias High School. A football lifer, Pitts rose up the ranks and became the schools head coach in 2010. The football team has been wildly successful under his watch, going 40-15 during his tenure as a head coach.

“My time at Helias has truly been amazing and the people I have met, coached, and worked with will forever have a special place in my heart,” Pitts in the press release. “Coaching college football has always been a dream of mine and I am so excited to join Coach Pinkel and his staff at Missouri.”

Lets speculate here, just a little. Pitts is the kind of coach that isn’t here to be a side act. He wants to be a coach. Clearly, judged by his time as a head coach in high school, he’s pretty good it at. My guess is, this is a move designed to jump start his career on the college sidelines with a goal eventually making his way to the head coaching ranks again.

Mizzou knows that with its historical defensive prowess that the program is making moves to set itself up not only for now but also the future.

Who knows what kind of implications this move has down the road. Perhaps we’re talking about the future next defensive coordinator for Missouri here. And if you really wanted to stretch our imagination here, a lot has been made of the question, “just how much more time does Gary Pinkel have here?” Again, speculation. But here’s a guy with head coaching experience.

Regardless, Pitts is happy to back.

“Mizzou has always been home to me and I couldn’t be happier to be a Tiger. I have the utmost respect for the entire program and I can’t wait to get started!” Pitts said.

The move may seem insignificant to some– what is a defensive analyst anyway?– but it is, in fact, an important one. In a time like this, Mizzou football must constantly reevaluate itself. Having a person like Pitts, who has a great eye for the game and a high football I.Q., on the sideline is definitely a plus.

His role starting out will focus on assisting Odom with a day-to-day evaluation of the Tiger defense, which includes self-scouting, team preparation and in-practice and in-game analysis, as well as various other duties related to the operation of the football program.

And it will be a happy return for a “Mizzou Made” Tiger.