COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel stopped by Mizzou Arena before Saturday's game against Alabama and chatted with the media for the first time since the Tigers' Cotton Bowl win.
Pinkel covered a variety of subjects.
On becoming Mizzou's all-time winningest coach:
"We all know how tough it is coaching. Just watch what happens at the end of every season. But I've been very fortunate my whole life to be surrounded by good people. It's been a blessing to me.
"I'm honored and would just like to win another 102. We'll see what happens."
On running back Henry Josey's decision to enter the NFL draft:
"Ultimately, when a player comes to a decision, we support it and it's the right decision. Everybody has their reasons for doing it, and the reasons he expressed to me ... it was important for him to do it this year. So we support him, back him and wish him our best."
On the matter of Dorial Green-Beckham, who was arrested recently in Springfield after police discovered marijuana and paraphernalia in a vehicle in which he was riding:
"I've been very consistent in how I've done it since the day I got here. I never discuss any discipline issues that we have."
On whether Maty Mauk has the quarterback spot locked up now that James Franklin is gone:
"Maty played very, very well for a young player. There's going to be competition there. He's not an established starter. He'll be competing like everybody else -- may the best player win.
"That's how we do it around here. It makes us better and it makes our players better."
On his disappointment that his assistant coaches have not received raises yet after a 12-2 season:
"It's a slow process. (I'm) disappointed to this point. We'll see where it goes."
On his philosophy of recruiting and what "Mizzou Made" stands for:
"We have a phrase we use now called 'Mizzou Made.' We think that, in our player development program, we do it as good as anybody in the country, and better than most. We really sell that now. If you come here, we will make you the best you can be. You've got to work hard, have a great attitude. But we will make you the best you can be, and that is 'Mizzou Made.' "
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
