Mizzou had some greats in the stands cheering the Tigers on in their game v. Texas A&M. Pictured are former Mizzou football player and NFL star Sean Weatherspoon, former Mizzou coach and Super Bowl Champion Coach Andy Hill, Hall of Fame Coach Gary Pinkel, and former Mizzou star, NFL great and 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Jeremy Maclin.

Once a Tiger, always a Tiger! MIZ!

It’s an honor coaches dream of, and for former University of Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel, it’s come true. Coach Pinkel was officially inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame on December 6, 2022 at the 75th annual National Football Foundation Awards Ceremony held in Las Vegas.

Coach was joined by family, friends, colleagues, and former players on this memorable night as he accepted this honor. Enjoy these photo memories from the College Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Gary Pinkel with family at the NFF Hall of Fame Ceremony in Las Vegas
Coach Pinkel poses with his family in Las Vegas at the National Football Foundation award ceremony on December 6, 2022.
Gary and Missy Pinkel attend the National Football Foundation 75th Anniversary awards ceremony.
From left to right: Mike Alden, Whit Babcock, Pat Ivey, Gary Pinkel, Brian Maggard, Mark Alnutt
From left to right: Mike Alden, Whit Babcock, Pat Ivey, Gary Pinkel, Brian Maggard, Mark Alnutt
From left to right: Desiree Reed-Francios, Mizzou Athletic Director; Missy Pinkel, Chase Coffman, former Mizzou player; Eli Drinkwitz, current Mizzou Football Head Coach; Gary Pinkel; Greg Sankey; SEC Commissioner
From left to right: Desiree Reed-Francios, Mizzou Athletic Director; Missy Pinkel; Chase Coffman, former Mizzou player; Eli Drinkwitz, current Mizzou Football Head Coach; Gary Pinkel; Mike Otten, SEC Commissioner
Gary Pinkel at the podium.
Gary Pinkel at the podium.
From left to right: Brian Blain, University of Toledo Athletic Director; Gary Pinkel; and Jason Candel, Toledo Head Coach
From left to right: Brian Blain, University of Toledo Athletic Director; Gary Pinkel; and Jason Candel, Toledo Head Coach
From left to right: Jim Zara, Chase Coffman, Gary Pinkel, and John Qualy – all GP M.A.D.E. Foundation Board Members
From left to right: Jim Zara, Chase Coffman, Gary Pinkel, and John Qualy – all GP M.A.D.E. Foundation Board Members
From left to right: Ken Dooner, Ernie Greco, Pat Goccard, Mark Kruse, Jon Caponigro, Al Speicher
From left to right: Ken Dooner, Ernie Greco, Pat Gucciardo, Mark Kruse, John Caponigro, Al Speicher
From left to right: Gary Pinkel, Peggy and Al Speicher
From left to right: Gary Pinkel, Peggy and Al Speicher
From left to right: Gary and Missy Pinkel, Anne and Ken Dooner
From left to right: Gary and Missy Pinkel, Anne and Ken Dooner
Coach Pinkel pictured with his official National Football Foundation Hall of Fame recognition plaque.

Coyote Hill exists to give children in foster care a safe place to be a child. Each year, hundreds of children enter foster care in Missouri and for more than 30 years, Coyote Hill has worked to keep kids safe.

In November, the GP M.A.D.E. Foundation gave Coyote Hill Children’s Ranch $5,000 as a challenge grant for Giving Tuesday. Coyote Hill leveraged the donation match into an incredible $23,000 in one day!

When asked about his work with Coyote Hill, Coach Pinkel said “I feel like I’m doing something significant. We’re really trying to reach out and help kids. We’re going to keep trying to raise more money to help more kids.”

GP M.A.D.E. partners with Coyote Hill because the organization is a perfect reflection of the foundation’s own goals— making a difference every day in the lives of others.

In early December, the Southeastern Conference inducted several former players and coaches into its 2022 Legends Class. From the SEC:

“The 2022 Football Legends Class includes 14 former stars who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the rich history of the sport at their respective institutions. This year’s class includes All-Americans, All-SEC selections, Academic All-Americans, a Heisman Trophy winner and a Hall of Fame head coach. The group represents teams that won SEC Championships, won Super Bowl titles and are represented in state, school and college football halls of fame.”

Coach Pinkel was honored to be among the 2022 class, which included:

Alabama – Ozzie Newsome, Split End, 1974-77
Arkansas – Steve Korte, Offensive Guard, 1981-82
Auburn – Ben Tamburello, Guard/Center, 1983-86
Florida – Alex Brown, Defensive End, 1998-2001
Georgia – Thomas Davis, Linebacker, 2002-04
Kentucky – Joe Federspiel, Linebacker, 1969-71
LSU – Todd McClure, Center, 1995-98
Ole Miss – Eli Manning, Quarterback, 1999-2003
Mississippi State – K.J. Wright, Linebacker, 2007-10
Missouri – Gary Pinkel, Head Coach, 2001-15
South Carolina – Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, 2009-11
Tennessee – Peyton Manning, Quarterback, 1994-97
Texas A&M – Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, 2012-13
Vanderbilt – Allama Matthews, Tight End, 1979-82

The class was announced at the SEC championship game in Atlanta on December 3, 2022.

Coach Pinkel is featured on signage at the 2022 SEC Legends ceremony.
Coach Pinkel is featured on signage at the 2022 SEC Legends ceremony.
2022 SEC Legends appear on stage during an event in Atlanta, GA on December 2, 2022.
2022 SEC Legends
SEC Legends: Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, Gary Pinkel, and Eli Manning.
SEC Legends: Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, Gary Pinkel, and Eli Manning.
Gary Pinkel is a guest on the Paul Finebaum show.
Missy Pinkel, Gary Pinkel, and Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner
Missy Pinkel, Gary Pinkel, and Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner
Coach Pinkel is featured on the big screen above the SEC Legends 2022 ceremony.
Coach Pinkel is featured on the big screen above the SEC Legends 2022 ceremony.

Following the rush of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a unique opportunity and reminder to observe and support causes and charities that are meaningful making an impact in the lives of our neighbors.

Since 2019, the GP M.A.D.E. Foundation has partnered with supporters to distribute nearly $300,000 to Missouri organizations that provide services fulfilling the three pillars of our mission, helping children in Missouri to:

  • Battle cancer
  • Break disability barriers
  • Overcome poverty

In addition to local non-profit grants, the GP M.A.D.E. Foundation has awarded 49 Scholarships, valued at nearly $400,000, to low-income students from across the state, to attend college, university or vocational trade schools in Missouri.

We’re not done yet. We need your help to move the ball forward into 2023.

We’re celebrating Giving Tuesday with 30 days of giving – now through the end of the year. Make your secure, tax-deductible donation here at any of the levels below and receive a gift as our thank you for your partnership and support.

Give $50
Receive a GP M.A.D.E. Foundation Visor

GP M.A.D.E. Visor

Give $100
Receive a GP M.A.D.E. Foundation Tumbler

GP M.A.D.E. Tumbler

Give $250
Receive a Limited Edition Gary Pinkel Hall of Fame Polo

Gary Pinkel Hall of Fame Polo

Give $500 or More
Receive a Gary Pinkel Autographed Football

Gary Pinkel signed football

You can make a difference every-day in the lives and future of children and youth facing difficult challenges. The battle is real, and the fight is on. We need your help!

This holiday season, join me in giving gifts that will change the trajectory of a child’s life forever. Together we CAN Make A Difference Everyday!

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Gary Pinkel signature

Gary Pinkel

The rain didn’t dampen the excitement at the first annual An Evening with GP, held at the Atrium in Columbia, Missouri on November 4, 2022. Guests entered and walked back through time to the Pinkel era of Mizzou football, enjoying photos, memorabilia, dinner, and a four-quarter program recounting the highlights of Gary Pinkel’s illustrious college coaching career.

As the first-of-its-kind fundraiser for the GP M.A.D.E. Foundation, the event was a huge success. In total, An Evening with GP raised $110,000, which the foundation will use to fund 11 scholarships for 2023. Learn more about the GP M.A.D.E. scholarship program and meet the 2022 recipients here.

Our sincere gratitude to our presenting sponsors, Veterans United Home Loans, Chase & Hilary Daniel, and Chris & Sarah Cox. Additional thanks goes to Mike Kelly, Mike Alden, and Brad Smith who joined Coach Pinkel on stage for the program. We are also grateful to our many table sponsors, volunteers, board members, staff members, and to our vendors for helping us support life-changing educational opportunities for deserving Missouri students in need.

15 years as a Mizzou Tiger on the field with a coach’s visor, and now a Mizzou Tiger for all posterity! On September 16, 2022, the Mizzou Alumni Association awarded GP M.A.D.E. Founder Gary Pinkel an honorary degree on September 16, 2022.

Coach Pinkel served as Head Football Coach for the University of Missouri from 2001-2015, earning the title of “winningest football coach in Mizzou history.” Coach Pinkel is well-known for mentoring his players on and off the field. His program “Mizzou Made” focused on four core values:

-Honesty
-Treat Women with Respect
-No Drugs
-Respect Cultural Differences

The result of this program was young men who put team first and found success on the football field and also in life. When Coach Pinkel retired from coaching and shifted to his focus to philanthropy, his “Mizzou Made” philosophy helped shape the GP M.A.D.E. Foundation — Making a Difference Every-Day in the lives of youths facing difficult challenges.

Congrats on your honorary degree coach, and many thanks to the Mizzou Alumni Association!