Missouri Football: The 14 Most Important People in the Program Right Now

With the college football season coming into view, it's time to start looking at the most important people in each school's program.

For Missouri, it starts with the head coach and stretches all the way to a strong-legged kicker.

Here are are the 14 most important people that are currently a part of the University of Missouri football program.

Enjoy.

Head Coach Gary Pinkel

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Gary Pinkel of the Missouri Tigers reacts on the sidelines during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo

It's hard to talk about Missouri football these days without mentioning the name Gary Pinkel.

The Akron, Ohio native took over at Mizzou in 2001 after former coach Larry Smith was relieved of his duties.

Pinkel boasts a 77-49 overall record at Missouri, while winning three Big 12 North titles and three bowl games during his tenure.

He is also primarily responsible for turning a program around that once was the laughing stock of the conference to one that has produced five first-round NFL draft picks in the last four years.

Offensive Coordinator David Yost

Yost, similar to DC Dave Steckel, took over as Missouri's offensive coordinator in 2009 after then-OC Dave Christensen left for the University of Wyoming.

He has been a valuable asset the Tigers football program, as he has now been with the team for 11 seasons.

His primary duties include working with the QBs, and he has already done wonders for former Mizzou QBs Brad Smith, Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert.

Defensive Coordinator Dave Steckel

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Defensive coordinator Dave Steckel of the Missouri Tigers during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Steckel took over as defensive coordinator in 2009, after Matt Eberflus left to coach in the NFL.

The former Marine is known is a tough, hard-nosed coach who usually gets the best out of his players.

Steckel will be entering his 11th season coaching Missouri's defense, and he is one of the main reasons why this unit has improved greatly over the past few seasons.

Athletic Director Mike Alden

Mike Alden is the face of Missouri athletics, and has been since he took over the job as Mizzou's AD in 1998.

He was responsible for the firing of Larry Smith and the consequent hiring of current MU coach Gary Pinkel, a move that many say was the best move of his career as the school's athletic director.

Along with Pinkel, Alden has helped Missouri football reach new heights in the last decade.

QB James Franklin

Sophomore QB James Franklin is next in line to take over the reins over the Missouri offense.

The Lake Dallas, TX product will likely be the starting QB for Missouri this season, after former teammate Tyler Gabbert left the team last month.

He is a perfect fit for Pinkel's spread offense, as he is already starting to draw comparisons with former Mizzou star QB Brad Smith for his dual-threat ability.

This season will make the beginning of the James Franklin era at Missouri, and will be a pivotal one for the Tigers offense.

WR T.J. Moe

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: Tavon Wilson #3 of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini tackles T.J. Moe #28 of the University of Missouri Tigers during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.

Junior T.J. Moe came from out of nowhere last season to lead the team in receptions (92), yards (1,045) and touchdowns (6).

He was everywhere in the Tigers offense, and he was a big reason why the Tigers averaged nearly 30 points a game on offense.

Moe will likely be the top receiving target for new QB James Franklin this season, and is easily one of the most important players that Missouri has in their program.

TE Michael Egnew

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Tight end Michael Egnew #82 of the Missouri Tigers attempts to haul in a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska

Egnew is one of the best tight ends in the country and is looking to end his career at Missouri on a high note.

He won first-team All-American honors last year after a season where he had 90 catches for 762 yards and five touchdowns.

He will provide a big safety blanket for first-year QB Franklin and should challenge for the Mackey Award once again.

Egnew has a chance to leave Missouri as one of the most decorated TEs in school history.

LT Elvis Fisher

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Defensive end Cameron Meredith #34 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers tries to beat offensive linesman Elvis Fisher #72 of the Missouri Tigers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, N

Fisher will be entering his fourth year as Missouri's starting left tackle and is arguably the most important piece of Missouri's offense line heading into the '11 season.

He has shown an ability to shut down solid defensive ends in the past and will be called on to so again this year.

The Tigers will need him to stay healthy and have a productive season protecting the blindside of Franklin if the Tigers' offense is going to have success this fall.

RB De'Vion Moore

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 08: De'Vion Moore #26 of the Missouri Tigers carries the ball during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on October 8, 2009 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Senior RB De'Vion Moore will lead a talented group of Missouri backs heading into this season.

Moore led the team last season in rushing yards with 517, and rushing TDs with eight.

He will likely be called upon more this season, as his experience in Mizzou's offensive system will only make the transition easier for Franklin.

DE Jacquies Smith

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners is tackled by Jacquies Smith #3 of the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Smith is one of the most experience defensive linemen on Missouri's current roster.

He had a big year in 2010, earning All-Big 12 honors and registering 12 sacks along the way.

MU will need him to continue to step up his game this season if their defensive line is going to flourish once again.

DE Brad Madison

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: Brad Madison #57 and Will Ebner #32 both of the University of Missouri Tigers celebrate a sack against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dom

Madison will probably be one of the most talked about players on Missouri's defense to begin the 2011 campaign.

Last season, he led the team in sacks with 7.5, and tackles for loss with 11, in primarily a back-up role.

This year, he will take over for the departed Aldon Smith and Missouri will need his pass rush skills in order to disrupt opposing Big 12 offenses again this season.

LB Zaviar Gooden

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Rex Burkhead #22 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers fights for yardage between linebacker Zaviar Gooden #25 and defensive back Carl Gettis #19 of the Missouri Tigers during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadi

Gooden is easily the Tigers best linebacker and is a big hitter in the middle of Missouri's defense.

This season, he will take on more of a leadership role with the team as a junior, and has the ability to step in the fill this role for Mizzou.

Missouri is hoping for big things from him this season.

S Kenji Jackson

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Collin Klein #7 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball as Kenji Jackson #13 of the Missouri Tigers defends during the game on November 13, 2010 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo

Jackson will likely be the lone starting senior in the Tigers secondary this season, and is one of the best athletes that the team possesses on defense.

He will also be one of the best returning safeties in the conference and will be expected to make many plays in MU's defensive backfield.

Missouri needs Jackson to be a force against the run and to be the vocal leader on what should be an inexperienced secondary unit this season.

K Grant Ressel

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 28: Kicker Grant Ressel #95 of the Missouri Tigers is carried off the field after kicking the winning field goal to defeat the Kansas Jayhawks 42-39 to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Kansas City, Miss

Ressel kind of got lost in the shuffle in '10, after his All-American season the previous year.

He is an extremely accurate kicker, connecting on 93 percent of his field goals and 97 percent of his extra points in his Mizzou career.

Ressel should be the Tigers primary kicker again this season, and he will likely be asked to make some important field goals throughout the year.