The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved a contract extension for head football coach Eliah Drinkwitz through the 2028 season, Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois announced today.
Under Drinkwitz, the 2023 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, the No. 9 Tigers finished the 2023 season 11-2 with Friday’s 14-3 victory over No. 7 Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas — the program’s first appearance in a New Year’s Six bowl game during the College Football Playoff era. Friday’s win clinched Mizzou’s seventh double digit-win season in program history and the program’s first since 2014.
“My family and I want to thank the Board of Curators, President Choi, and Desireé Reed-Francois for their faith in me as the head coach,” Drinkwitz said. “You can’t do this alone, and our players, coaches and staff have worked tirelessly and believed in the process of building a championship program. The passion of our fan base, alumni and donors is awesome, and we are proud to represent them. We are extremely grateful for the resources they provide and the continued investment from our administration in Mizzou Football. All of it has allowed us to get to where we are. Why stop now!”
Drinkwitz was one of five finalists for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award and finished third in voting for the Associated Press’ national coach of the year award. Drinkwitz was named the SEC Coach of the Year by both the league coaches and the Associated Press and was tabbed the American Football Coaches Association Region 2 Coach of the Year. He is the first MU coach to receive the SEC Coaches’ honor since Gary Pinkel in 2014.
Drinkwitz’s teams have clinched bowl eligibility in each of his four seasons at Mizzou. His 28 wins are the most for a Mizzou head coach through his first four seasons since Warren Powers from 1978-81. Drinkwitz’s 17 victories in Southeastern Conference play are the most conference wins for a Mizzou head coach through his first four seasons since Dan Devine from 1958-61.
“The University of Missouri and Mizzou Athletics continue to ascend on an upward trajectory in the Southeastern Conference, and the Board of Curators is excited to see Coach Drinkwitz continue to build on the foundation he has established,” UM Board of Curators Chair Michael Williams said. “A thriving Mizzou Football program is important to our state, our university and our Department of Athletics, and the 2023 season has demonstrated the immense value Coach Drinkwitz and his program bring to the University of Missouri.”
“Well before the Cotton Bowl, the opening of the transfer portal and the early signing period, the Board of Curators decided to reward Coach Drinkwitz with a raise and an extension,” 2024 UM Board of Curators Chair Robin Wenneker said. “The Board of Curators, alongside President Choi and Athletics Director Reed-Francois, are proud to support the future of Mizzou Athletics with this new contract. This contract puts
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