Columbia News

The University of Missouri Board of Curators has approved a contract extension for head football coach Eliah Drinkwitz, extending his tenure through the 2029 season. The agreement also includes an enhanced salary pool for assistant coaches, strength and conditioning staff, and football support personnel, according to Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch.

Drinkwitz is entering his sixth season with the Tigers. He was named the 2023 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year and has led Missouri to back-to-back seasons with at least ten wins for the first time in a decade, a feat achieved only three times in program history. His overall record at Mizzou stands at 38-24 (.613), surpassing Dan Devine’s record for most wins by a head coach in their first five years. Under his leadership, the team has achieved a home record of 27-7 (.794), which is the best home win percentage (minimum four seasons) in school history. Over the past two seasons, Missouri's 21 victories rank third among current SEC programs.

"I'm incredibly grateful for the continued belief in our vision for Mizzou Football," Drinkwitz said. "The Board of Curators, President Choi, Laird Veatch and our donors and fans have shown a deep commitment to building a championship-caliber program. That means investing in the people throughout our building who work tirelessly for our student-athletes. I'm proud of the staff we've assembled and excited to keep pushing forward together."

Recently named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, Drinkwitz has led Missouri to a 21-5 record since 2023 with an 11-5 mark in SEC play. This period ties for the third-best two-year stretch in program history. The Tigers have recorded a 13-1 home record during this span, won ten out of eleven one-score games, and maintained an undefeated bowl game record by defeating Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl (2023) and Iowa in the Music City Bowl (2024). Missouri is also unbeaten against teams from the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC during this period.

"The consistent progress we've seen under Coach Drinkwitz's leadership is inspiring," Veatch said. "This extension, along with increased investment in our coaching and support staff, reflects our commitment to sustaining success at the highest level. It's all part of our 'Will to Win' — a clear statement that we're building championship programs."

Todd Graves, chair of the University’s Board of Curators, commented on both recent achievements and future ambitions: "The momentum of Mizzou Football is undeniable," Graves said. "Mizzou Football is at a pivotal moment, marked in part by the historic Memorial Stadium Centennial Project. Coach Drinkwitz is the right leader to ensure we uphold our championship culture and achieve wins that make Tiger fans proud across the state and around the world."

Curator Bob Blitz added: "Thanks to the hard work and vision of Coach Drinkwitz, Mizzou Football is an ascending powerhouse in the SEC," Blitz said. "Coach Drinkwitz is respected by student-athletes, coaches and fans who all expect the very best. We believe he can continue to push this program forward and accomplish even more in the future."

University President Mun Choi stated: "Coach Drinkwitz is a transformational leader with a proven record of success in the SEC. He has brought Mizzou Pride back to our program," Choi said. "We are proud to support his commitment to excellence and his drive to bring even more championships home to our state."

During his tenure at Missouri, Drinkwitz guided teams that posted consecutive double-digit win seasons—11-2 in 2023 and 10-3 in 2024—matching similar runs from previous eras (2007–08; 2013–14). He joins Gary Pinkel as one of two head coaches at Missouri with multiple ten-win seasons.

Drinkwitz has coached players who received numerous accolades: sixteen players earned eighteen all-conference honors (ten first-team All-SEC selections), while seventeen athletes were selected during NFL drafts—including six picks in 2024 such as first-rounder Darius Robinson.

Last season marked Missouri’s fifteenth undefeated season at home—their first perfect home record since 2010—and saw sellouts for all seven home games for the first time since 1979. The team finished ranked among college football’s top twenty schools across fourteen statistical categories including turnovers committed (third fewest), passes intercepted (fifth), first-down defense (first), and third-down conversion percentage defense (third).

Missouri opens its next campaign on August 28 against Central Arkansas at Memorial Stadium.

For additional updates on Missouri Athletics visit MUTigers.com or follow @MizzouFootball and @CoachDrinkwitz on X.