Eli Drinkwitz announces extensions for Missouri coordinators Blake Baker, Kirby Moore

Following a 10-win season, a pair of Missouri coordinators are set to be rewarded with new contract extensions, head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced on Thursday.

Drinkwitz tweeted news of the contract extensions for both offensive coordinator Kirby Moore and defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Both were instrumental in helping the Tigers reach 10 wins and the Cotton Bowl.

Missouri finished with a top-25 offense and a top-40 defense in 2023, putting it all together for a splendid season.

Drinkwitz and the Tigers did not specify any contract details in the post about the extensions, simply noting they signed them. It’s unclear the length of the terms and whether either coordinator received a raise.

But the continuity should certainly help Missouri, particularly as two new powerhouse schools enter the conference with the start of the 2024 season.

Moore did a masterful job working with quarterback Brady Cook, turning him from a quarterback fans were booing early in the season to the unquestioned starter on a 10-win team. He was elite throughout the season.

The Tigers quarterback threw for 3,189 yards and 20 touchdowns, against just six interceptions. He was aided by a terrific run game, anchored by tailback Cody Schrader.

Schrader led the nation in rushing, picking up 1,489 yards and 13 scores on the ground.

Missouri finished with the nation’s No. 24 total offense and scoring offense, averaging 442.9 yards and 34.1 points per game.

Defensively the Tigers were also stout, led by Baker. The unit finished ranked 38th in total defense and 41st in scoring defense, allowing 347.2 yards and 22.3 points per game. The team’s run defense anchored the unit.

Baker was in his second year as the Missouri defensive coordinator after serving a one-year stint as LSU‘s linebackers coach. He had previously been the defensive coordinator at both Miami and Louisiana Tech.