David Russell, the University of Missouri System chief of staff and custodian of records, confirmed that the nine-member Board of Curators unanimously approved a contract for eighth-year football coach Gary Pinkel on Tuesday that would pay him $2.3 million annually for seven years. Pinkel can receive an additional $200,000 each year in a separate deferred account as long as he remains in Columbia throughout the deal's duration. Russell said an official announcement is expected Wednesday afternoon.