Gary Pinkel Justin Smith considering joining Missouri staff
HOOVER, Ala. -- Justin Smith announced his retirement from the NFL earlier this year, but the former star might not be Nick Boyle Jersey away from football much longer. Mi souri coach Gary Pinkel said Smith, who played at Mi souri from 1998-2000, is considering joining the Mi souri coaching staff as an a sistant in the weight room."I think he wants to get involved in the weight room a little bit with our players and help us out," Pinkel said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. "That would be great if he can do that. He would be a tremendous a set Tim Williams Jersey to us."Smith retired from the in May after a 14-year career, the first half of which was with the . Pinkel's appreciation for Smith was evident when news of the retirement broke:Thank you for all you've Anthony Averett Jersey done Justin. Proud to say you're and helped start the tradition. GP Coach Gary Pinkel (@GaryPinkel) Pinkel said Smith is building a ranch in Columbia, Mo. In his last year at Mi souri in 2000, Smith posted a remarkable season statistically with a team-high 81 tackles, 24 for lo ses, and 11 Marlon Humphrey Jersey sacks."He's from (Jefferson) City, the state capital, about 25 miles south of Columbia. He's going to be living right in Columbia and we'd love to have him come back," Pinkel said. "I talked to Andy Hill, who recruited him, our quarterback coach, and we'll see."Smith's presence James Hurst Jersey would certainly do nothing to hurt Mi souri's burgeoning reputation as a factory for NFL-caliber defensive linemen. Defensive ends , , and Michael Sam have all been drafted from Mi souri in the last two drafts, and defensive tackle was the No. 13 overall pick in 2013.*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *.