Gary Pinkel’s Coach and Mentor Don James Passes Today at 80

Don James and Gary Pinkel

“It’s hard to put into words how much it hurts to lose a man like Don James.  He was my coach, my mentor, my friend, and he had such an amazing influence on my life, both personally and professionally.  The program we built at Toledo and here at Missouri is Don James’ program, it’s a tribute to how he developed men and built football teams.  This is a tough, tough day, and I’m so sorry for his wife, Carol, and the James family, as well as the entire Washington Huskies family.  Coach James was a legend, and if I’m remembered for anything, I hope that it might be that I helped carry his legacy forward.” – Coach Gary Pinkel

More About Don James:

Don James (December 31, 1932 – October 20, 2013) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Kent State University from 1971 to 1974 and at the University of Washington from 1975 to 1992, compiling a career college football record of 178–76–3. His 1991 Washington team won a share of the national championship after completing a 12–0 season with a win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. James was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1997.  (source: Wikipedia)