Gary Pinkel: Missouri Tigers Head Coach Shouldn't Get Free Pass for DWI Arrest

The Missouri Tigers have a big decision to make about the future of head coach Gary Pinkel, and it really shouldn't be that hard because he has to go.  

Eric Blumberg covers the Tigers for KOMU-TV, and reported that Pinkel was arrested late Wednesday night for driving while intoxicated. 

This is Pinkel's first offense, but as the head coach, he is supposed to be a role model for his players. He failed big time, which is why he needs to be fired.

These are tormenting times in college football, and the Tigers would be wrong for keeping Pinkel as their head coach. Yes, he made a mistake, but getting behind the wheel of a car while drunk not only puts your life at risk, but also the lives of everyone else on the road.

He's very fortunate nobody was hurt because of his stupidity. I understand why someone would say give him a second chance, but this is something the Tigers can't save face from. 

Pinkel has been the Tigers coach for a decade now, and he while he's had success (82–54 overall but just 3-4 in bowl games), Missouri needs to rid themselves of this problem.

One smart thing Pinkel did do was quickly release a statement of apology. Blumberg tweeted out the highlights. 

After his statement, the Tigers' Athletic Director Mike Alden voiced his thoughts on the arrest. Here is an excerpt: 

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"We hold ourselves to very high standards, and this is a very serious breach of those responsibilities. We are gathering facts and will take action appropriately, and when those actions are determined, we will communicate them publicly."

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It shouldn't be too difficult of a decision to make because keeping a head coach who is arrested for DWI would be foolish. 

It remains to be seen if Pinkel will be on the sidelines for the Tigers' game against Texas Tech this Saturday.   

As ESPN analyst and former Georgia Bulldog David Pollack points out, Pinkel pulled a bonehead move given the future of the Tigers' program. 

The Tigers are about to endure a ton of changes, and with their move to a different conference, they would be wise to start fresh. 

Yes, Pinkel has a winning record, but if he couldn't ever carry the Tigers to a Big 12 Title, there is no way he will accomplish great things in the Southeastern Conference. 

Pinkel's actions now gives the Tigers a chance to dump the mediocre coach in preparation for harder times in the new conference.    

Jim Rome is no stranger to speaking his mind, and he decided to do a little role playing of how this week went down for the Tigers during their meetings.  

It's a tragic event, but the Tigers have to do what is right. Keeping Pinkel on staff would be extremely hypocritical of Missouri because no other punishment is justified. 

Matt Hayes writes for Sporting News and he tweeted that this isn't the first DWI for the Tigers in 2011.

If Pinkel keeps his job, there is no way he can truly discipline his players because he's done similar idiotic things. Those were young kids making a mistake, and they needed to be taught a lesson, hence the suspension. 

As the head coach, Pinkel is held to a higher responsibility, and he should know better than to operate a vehicle after a night of drinking. 

Pinkel failed to do the right thing, and now he must pay the price. The Tigers must play this smart, or they will face a ton of criticism.