Guest Highlight: Gary Pinkel
13
AUGUST, 2019
I don’t know where to start when it comes to talking about Coach Gary Pinkel. Having worked with him for such an extended period of time, Coach Pinkel grew to mean so much to me and to many other people that it’s hard to put into words.
The one thing I can say with 100% confidence is that I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for Coach Gary Pinkel. He challenged me on all fronts to be the best version of me – professionally, mentally, physically, and as a man in general. Because of him, I accomplished more than I ever could have imagined. The incredible part is he not only challenge me but he challenged everyone that was involved with his football program in this same manner.
Under his tutelage I was inspired every day to grow, learn, adapt, and bring everything I had. Coach Pinkel‘s mantra of “no excuses” still lives within me and everyone else I know who spent time around the man, the myth, and the legend. I’d be hard pressed to find a single day gone by that I haven’t drawn on something that I learned from him or watched him do as a leader. Coach Pinkel may be one of the most misunderstood people I’ve ever met, but there’s no mistaking who he is as a successful coach and competitor.
Coach Pinkel was always all about attention to detail, focus, the team bottom line, enthusiasm, and so many more principles. Players and coaches often quote Coach Pinkel and we called them Pinkelisms. There’s a side to Coach Pinkel that not many will talk about and it’s his sense of humor – there are too many inside jokes to even begin telling. The short amount of time I got to spend with him this week on the podcast was refreshing. I know you will enjoy the wisdom he shares with us so mark your calendar for Friday so you don’t miss the opportunity to sit back, listen and enjoy.
