The Missouri Tigers got some tremendous news Monday afternoon when the team announced that defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski will return for a 24th season working alongside coach Gary Pinkel.
A report surfaced Sunday night that Illinois offered Kuligowski a co-defensive coordinator position, and reports indicate the vital Mizzou assistant may have strongly considered the offer. But he withdrew his name from consideration Monday afternoon.
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“As a coach, you’re always looking to advance yourself professionally in hopes of someday having a chance to become a head coach. It was important for me and my family to consider this opportunity, and I’m grateful to have gone through the experience, but after evaluating everything, what is best for us is to stay here at Mizzou,” Kuligowski said in a team-issued statement. “We’ve built something special here at Mizzou, and I’m excited to continue to be a part of it.”
From reports, it sounds like Pinkel and the Tigers swooped in with a raise to prevent Kuligowski from leaving, which would’ve been a huge loss both in recruiting for the 2015 class and in the continuation of the Mizzou pipeline of NFL defensive linemen.
Last night Illinois felt confident Kuligowski would accept their offer. If Gary persuaded him to stay Pinkel did something strong
— FootballScoop (@FootballScoop) January 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/PeteScantlebury/status/559788763271139330
Kuligowski likely getting a raise. Pinkel groused publicly about MU's slow pace for staff raises this time last year.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) January 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/559791012738895872
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/559791072457404416
I heard from several places that Tim Beckman was absolutely convinced he had Kuligowski hired. Pinkel stepped in, delivered finishing move
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) January 26, 2015
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
