Missouri’s Pinkel says he’ll retire

Coach diagnosed earlier this year with lymphoma.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel abruptly announced Friday that he would resign at the end of the season for health reasons, days after he kept the team united when players went on strike because of racial tensions on campus.

Pinkel, 63, said he was diagnosed with lymphoma in May. He dismissed the idea that the week’s events led to his decision.

“I made a decision in May, after visiting with my family, that I wanted to keep coaching as long as I felt good and had the energy I needed,” Pinkel said in a statement. “I felt great going into the season but also knew that I would need to reassess things at some point, and I set our bye week as the time when I would take stock of the future.” The stunning move

comes after a tumultuous week on the Columbia, Mo., campus that began when players tweeted that they would boycott Saturday’s game against BYU unless the university system president resigned. Pinkel supported his players, and the boycott ended in less than 48 hours as the president and chancellor resigned.

A statement from the school said Pinkel informed his staff and the team Friday. Pinkel and athletic director Mack Rhoades, who is in his first year leading the athletic department, are discussing a role that would keep Pinkel associated with Tigers athletics.

Pinkel is the winningest coach in school history with a 117-71 record over 15 seasons. His team has won the last two SEC East titles but is out of contention for a conference title this year at 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the SEC.

Florida: Cleared of criminal charges, former Florida cornerback J.C. Jackson plans to resume playing college football. It’s uncertain if it will be with the Gators. Jackson was found not guilty Friday on three felony counts of armed robbery. He also was acquitted of a felony burglary charge stemming from an April 18 incident in Gainesville.

“I would like to come back, but it’s up to the coaches,” Jackson said.

His attorney, Christopher Brown, said transferring to another FBS program might be an option.

Virginia Tech 23, Georgia Tech 21: The Hokies gave coach Frank Beamer his first retirement gift, rallying from an early 14-point deficit to beat the Yellow Jackets late Thursday night in Atlanta and move a step closer to becoming eligible for a 23rd straight bowl appearance.

After Georgia Tech (3-7, 1-6 ACC) fumbled the ball away on two straight possessions in the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech (5-5, 3-3) grabbed its first lead on Travon McMillian’s second touchdown, a 4-yard run with 6 minutes, 58 seconds remaining.

Beamer, who is retiring at the end of the season, can go out with the nation’s longest active bowl streak if the Hokies win one of their last two games.