There is the one where his hard-hitting Toledo linebacker first told him he wanted to coach, the one where his young Mizzou defensive coordinator told him he wanted to make the NFL leap, and the one where one of the league’s most respected defensive coordinators called Thursday to share mammoth news.
Matt Eberflus — “Eber” to Pinkel — is the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Pinkel is trying to stiff-arm those pesky feelings.
“We had a real emotional conversation,” said Pinkel, who had already been in a reflective mood lately after Mizzou’s winningest football coach received the Hall of Fame news.