The other thing to keep in mind was that Pinkel was about to be run out of town in year 5 or 6. Then, he and his staff went to a TX high school to learn the spread and installed it for TX QB Chase Daniel. They had some very good teams with him and have been able to recruit much better. The result, they beat #1 OU tonight in Columbia. Even in the Daniel era, they would have been whipped. However, those recruiting classes are taking affect. My point, the right hire and patience.
Gary Pinkel was a MAC coach at one time.
So were Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly, Terry Hoeppner, Randy Walker, Glen Mason, and Jim Grobe.
They were a spread team prior to Chase Daniel. Brad Smith was an unbelievable spread QB for Pinkel. Pinkel was about to get run out town because he treated people like crap and wasn't winning enough. Then, Chase Daniel showed up, they won some big games, were on the verge of a BCS appearance, and he got a contract extension. It is all about winning.