Football
Board of Curators also approve enhanced salary pool for assistant coaches, support staff.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Board of Curators has approved a contract extension for Mizzou football head coach Eliah Drinkwitz, as well as an enhanced salary pool for his assistant coaches, strength and conditioning staff and football support personnel, Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch announced Thursday. The approved amendment extends Drinkwitz’s contract through the 2029 season.
Now entering his sixth season at Mizzou, the 2023 Southeastern Conference coach of the year has led the Tigers to back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in a decade and just the third time in program history. Drinkwitz has guided the Tigers to a 38-24 overall record (.613), surpassing Dan Devine‘s program record for most wins in the first five years of a head coach’s tenure. Mizzou has posted a 27-7 home record (.794) under Drinkwitz’s leadership, setting the best home win percentage (minimum four seasons) in program history. Mizzou’s 21 victories over the last two seasons are tied for 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.”
Drinkwitz, recently named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List for the national coach of the year award, has led Mizzou to a 21-5 overall record since the start of the 2023 season, including an 11-5 mark in SEC play. That is tied for the third-best two-year stretch in program history. The Tigers have also posted a 13-1 record at home, gone 10-1 in one-score games and secured a 2-0 record in bowl games, defeating Ohio State (2023 Cotton Bowl) and Iowa (2024 Music City Bowl). Additionally, Mizzou is 4-0 against Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC opponents during this stretch.
“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.”
“The momentum of Mizzou Football is undeniable,” said University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves. “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.”
“Thanks to the hard work and vision of Coach Drinkwitz, Mizzou Football is an ascending powerhouse in the SEC,” said Curator Bob Blitz. “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.”
“Coach Drinkwitz is a transformational leader with a proven record of success in the SEC. He has brought Mizzou Pride back to our program,” said University of Missouri President Mun Choi. “We are proud to support his commitment to excellence and his drive to bring even more championships home to our state.”
Drinkwitz led the Tigers to back-to-back 10-plus win seasons in 2023 (11-2) and 2024 (10-3), marking the third time in program history this has been achieved (2007-08 and 2013-14). He joins College Football Hall of Famer Gary Pinkel (2001-15) as the only two Mizzou head coaches with multiple 10-win seasons.
Drinkwitz has mentored 16 players who have earned 18 all-conference honors, including 10 first-team All-SEC selections, and coached 17 Tigers who were selected in the NFL draft. In 2021 and 2024, five and six players were selected, respectively, including first-rounder Darius Robinson (2024) and second-round pick Nick Bolton (2021).
Last season, Mizzou completed its 15th undefeated season at home, marking its first perfect home record since 2010. The Tigers sold out all seven home games, the first season sellout since 1979. Under Drinkwitz, Mizzou finished the 2024 season ranked in the top 20 in 14 different statistical categories, including third in fewest turnovers (nine), fifth in passes intercepted (five), first in first-down defense (211) and third in third-down conversion percentage defense (.302), among others.
Drinkwitz and the Tigers kick off 2025 on Thursday, Aug. 28, when they host Central Arkansas in the “Kickoff in CoMo” season opener at Memorial Stadium.
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For all the latest information on Mizzou Athletics, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Missouri football (@MizzouFootball) and Coach Drinkwitz (@CoachDrinkwitz) on X. You can also find the Tigers on Instagram and Facebook.
