Missouri extends Eli Drinkwitz's contract through 2029, adds money to assistant salary pool
Drinkwitz signed an extension in December 2023 that paid him $46 million through the 2028 season, along with incentives such as $250,000 for a first-round appearance in the College Football Playoff and $750,000 for winning the national championship.
'I'm incredibly grateful for the continued belief in our vision,' said Drinkwitz, who is entering his sixth season at Missouri. 'I'm proud of the staff we've assembled and excited to keep pushing forward together.'
Drinkwitz was the SEC coach of the year two years ago, when he led the Tigers to an 11-2 record and a Cotton Bowl win. They followed that up with a 10-3 record and a Music City Bowl win last season, giving the program back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in a decade and only the third time in school history.
Drinkwitz, who arrived in 2020 after one season leading Appalachian State, is 38-24 with the Tigers, breaking Dan Devine's record for the most wins in the first five seasons by a Missouri coach. He also has coached 17 players that were chosen in the NFL draft, including Armand Membou, the seventh overall pick of the New York Jets in April.
'The consistent progress we've seen under Coach Drinkwitz's leadership is inspiring,' Missouri athletic director Laid Veatch said in a statement. 'This extension, along with increased investment in our coaching and support staff, reflects our commitment to sustaining success at the highest level.'
The Tigers open the season Aug. 28 against Central Arkansas with a roster that will have to replace numerous stars, including Membou, second-round pick Luther Burden III at wide receiver and Brady Cook at quarterback. But the Tigers have a favorable schedule with their first six games at home, including rival Kansas and SEC foes South Carolina and Alabama.
The school is also undertaking a $250 million renovation of Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium due to be completed next year.
'Mizzou football is at a pivotal moment, marked in part by the historic Memorial Stadium Centennial Project,' Board of Curators chair Todd Graves said. '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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Dabo Swinney reveals Clemson running back Jarvis Green will miss most of the 2025 season
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney provided several health updates following Wednesday evening's practice at Jervey Meadows, including unfortunate news regarding redshirt sophomore running back Jarvis Green. Green is expected to miss most of the 2025 season after undergoing foot surgery. Swinney said it's the most serious injury the team has dealt with so far in fall camp. 'He's going to probably be out most of the year,' Swinney said. 'We had to do surgery on his foot, so he'll have a chance to come back at the end of the season. I hate that for him. I really do.' After redshirting in 2023, Green appeared in nine games last season, battling through multiple injuries. He finished the year with 53 rushing yards on nine carries and caught two passes out of the backfield. One of those receptions was a 25-yard touchdown in Clemson's College Football Playoff loss to Texas—a career first and a highlight moment on a big stage. Swinney said they may explore the possibility of a medical redshirt for Green, though nothing has been finalized. 'We'll just have to see how it all goes,' Swinney noted. In total, Green has played in 11 games over his Clemson career, logging 57 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards on 37 offensive snaps. Swinney also shared updates on several other Tigers. Defensive lineman Peter Woods missed Wednesday's practice due to illness, while safety Khalil Barnes is dealing with what Swinney called a 'short-term' injury and was spotted in a yellow jersey. Running back Jay Haynes continues progressing in his recovery from an ACL tear and is 'one step closer' to being cleared for practice. Meanwhile, cornerback Jeadyn Lukus is expected to return to practice sometime next week. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Texas A&M's tough 2025-2026 SEC basketball schedule has been revealed
Texas A&M's 2025-2026 basketball season will be the first for new head coach Bucky McMillan, who is just one player away from entering his inaugural campaign with a 15-player roster that is talented enough to compete for an NCAA Tournament bid. This summer, the new roster has been hard at work, getting acclimated to the speed and intensity of McMillan's system. After five seasons leading the Samford Bulldogs, McMillan is entering the toughest conference in college basketball, as the SEC has dominated the landscape in both recruiting and NCAA Tournament success. His new roster has enough star power, including former Texas Tech/Creighton guard Pop Issacs and Indiana transfer forward Mackenzie Mgbako, who are expected to lead the Aggies in several categories. On Wednesday, Texas A&M's SEC schedule was released, and, similar to last season, the Aggies will be challenged from start to finish. Thanks to TexAgs for the graphic, the Aggies will kick off the 2026 SEC season against LSU at home, before facing Auburn on the road, Oklahoma at home, and then two consecutive road games against Tennessee and Texas. Outside of LSU, who should be improved, but not considered one of the top teams, Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas could all be ranked in the Top 25 at this time. Texas A&M will also face Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt on the road, which is quite the gauntlet for any first-year head coach. However, the Aggies are expected to be one of the top-scoring teams in the conference, so defense and rebounding are the fundamental questions that will be answered once the season begins. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tigers' Trade Deadline Acquisition Already Turning Heads In Detroit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Detroit Tigers are one of the better teams in the American League behind the dominance of ace Tarik Skubal. Even with the Tigers winning this much, the front office didn't take a super aggressive approach at the trade deadline. While they made a handful of moves, none of them jumped off the page as a blockbuster deal. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter recently suggested the Tigers' addition of pitcher Chris Paddack was one of the more under-the-radar additions of the trade deadline. Detroit landed Paddack in a deadline deal with the Minnesota Twins. DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 5: Chris Paddack #40 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Comerica Park on August 5, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 5: Chris Paddack #40 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Comerica Park on August 5, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan."The club stuck with him as their No. 5 starter this year, and he had a 4.95 ERA in 111 innings over 21 starts before he was traded to the Tigers on July 28 in an under-the-radar deal that sent low-level catcher Enrique Jimenez the other way," Reuter wrote. "He made his Tigers debut on Wednesday and tossed six innings of three-hit, one-run ball against the D-backs for his second consecutive quality start. "The Tigers also acquired Charlie Morton on deadline day, and Paddack will likely compete with him down the stretch for the potential No. 4 starter job in the playoffs behind Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty." In 111 innings with the Twins, Paddack held a respectable 4.95 ERA, 4.42 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP. He wasn't spectacular, but his addition to the Tigers' rotation is going to be crucial down the stretch. In two starts with the Tigers, Paddack has thrown 10 innings and surrendered five runs on nine hits without a walk. His addition at the backend of the rotation is going to be huge for Detroit down the stretch. More MLB: MLB Rumors: Red Sox Pushed To Add Former Dodgers 11-Year Veteran
