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5 replacements for Gary Pinkel at Missouri

By Cody Williams

Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel looks on prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel looks on prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables talks with Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables talks with Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Brent Venables

The Clemson Tigers currently sit as the top-ranked team in the nation and, despite what traditional narratives will have told you about Clemson, they’ve proved time and again that they are the best team in the country right now. And while Deshaun Watson has had a big hand in the success of the Tigers, the heart and sole of the Tigers is and has been for several years the defense run by defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Venables has coached as a coordinator and linebacker coach at Clemson since 2012. Prior to his arrival on the Tigers staff, he worked under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma from 1999-2011, serving as the co-defensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and linebacker coach. Considering the prolificacy of both programs that Venables has been a part of and how successful his defenses have been, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Missouri try and make a move to give him a head-coaching position in the SEC.

The only tricky thing with Venables is that he has been a name mentioned in the search for a head coach with big programs before. However, he’s never taken any of those jobs before for one reason or another. While that might be somewhat of a red flag regarding the Tigers defensive coordinator, his track record of success and success at high-profile programs seems to make him a viable candidate for the Missouri Tigers to pursue.

Next: No. 2 Justin Fuente

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