Gary Pinkel named Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year finalist

Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel was named a finalist for Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year on Tuesday. Pinkel is one of three coaches up for the honor, joining Auburn’s Gus Malzahn and Duke’s David Cutcliffe.

After going 5-7 in his Missouri’s first year in the SEC, Pinkel guided his team to an 11-1 record and ranks fifth in the latest BCS standings. Mizzou will play for its first ever SEC championship on Sunday against Malzahn’s Auburn Tigers.

Malzahn, in his first year as Auburn’s head coach, is also responsible for a Tiger turnaround. After finishing 0-8 in conference play last season, Auburn is also 11-1 and has secured an SEC West title.

Cutcliffe coached his team to a school-record 10 wins this year. The Blue Devils are 20th in the BCS standings, and will play Florida State for an ACC title this weekend.

The winner of the award will be announced December 19th.