Columbia, Missouri — In a move signaling stability and ambition, the University of Missouri has extended the contract of head football coach Eli Drinkwitz following two of the program’s most successful seasons in over a decade. The Tigers, once mired in mediocrity, have surged under the fiery and methodical leadership of Drinkwitz, a coach whose vision has reshaped the program from top to bottom.
Drinkwitz, now entering his sixth season with Mizzou, led the team to back-to-back 10-win campaigns in 2023 and 2024. The Tigers’ 2024 season culminated in a Sugar Bowl victory over Penn State, a game in which Missouri’s defense suffocated the Nittany Lions and quarterback Brady Cook threw for three touchdowns. With a final AP Poll ranking of No. 6, Missouri earned its first top-10 finish since the days of Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin.
Behind the scenes, Drinkwitz has done more than win football games. He’s overhauled recruiting, leveraging Missouri’s NIL infrastructure and modernizing the program’s pitch to high school athletes across the country. In 2023, the Tigers landed their first-ever top-10 recruiting class, highlighted by 5-star edge rusher Jaylen Porter and dynamic wide receiver Malachi Brooks. These efforts are a far cry from the under-the-radar classes of the pre-Drinkwitz era.
University officials, in extending Drinkwitz, praised his leadership not just on the field but in the community and locker room. “Coach Drinkwitz has brought a sense of pride, accountability, and championship expectation to Mizzou football,” said Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois in a press release. “This extension reflects our belief in his long-term vision and our commitment to competing at the highest level of college football.”
The new contract extends through the 2030 season and reportedly includes a significant raise, performance incentives, and a retention bonus. While the exact figures have not been disclosed, sources familiar with the deal suggest the contract places Drinkwitz in the top quartile of SEC head coaches in terms of annual compensation.
Critics once labeled Drinkwitz, hired at age 36, as unproven. After all, his head coaching résumé included just one year at Appalachian State. But Missouri saw something others didn’t: a strategist with charisma, recruiting savvy, and a deep understanding of modern offensive football. That gamble has paid off — and then some.
Now, the Tigers are dreaming bigger. With the SEC expanding and new playoff formats looming, Missouri is no longer content with simply competing. Under Drinkwitz, they’re eyeing titles. “We’re not done yet,” Drinkwitz said at a press conference announcing the extension. “We’ve built something special here — and the best is still to come.”
As the Tigers prepare for another high-stakes season in the brutal SEC gauntlet, their head coach won’t be looking over his shoulder. With his future secure, Eli Drinkwitz is locked in — and so is Missouri football.
