Missouri coach Gary Pinkel put to rest any speculation about his future Thursday, saying that he plans on staying with the No. 5 Tigers.

Pinkel, who has been rumored to be a candidate for Washington's coaching vacancy after Steve Sarkisian left for USC, told "Mike and Mike" on ESPN Radio that he won't be returning to his coaching roots.

"I coached there [Washington] for 12 years, and Don James is my mentor," said Pinkel, who was an assistant with the Huskies from 1979 to 1990. "I'll be quite frank: I'm staying at the University of Missouri. I, with the administration's help, will continue to build a national program in a quest for a national championship.