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Eli Drinkwitz begrudgingly comments on SEC officiating, calls for change

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•05/30/23•

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Photo by Ed Zurga | Getty Image

A rivalry as old as time: coaches and referees. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz is no exception to this rule.

SEC Spring Meetings are a time for SEC head coaches to meet with officials and one another to discuss the upcoming season. In those meetings, they will inevitable discuss scheduling, strategy and rules. When Drinkwitz was asked about the latter, he couldn’t help but smile.

“We need to adopt more of an NFL model, where there’s no contact outside of five yards to make it more streamlined instead of a judgement call,” Drinkwitz said. “What we consider holding by the offensive lineman and what we consider holding by a DB is two different things, and I don’t understand that.”

Although defensive backs are allowed to be more physical with wide receivers in the NCAA, there are less strict rules when players commit penalties. The maximum penalty for defensive pass interference is 15 yards. Meanwhile, the same violation in the NFL will lead to the ball at the spot of the foul.

Drinkwitz’s perspective is understandable. His players receive more contact, receive less positive yards for their suffering and deal with a slower game due to a higher frequency of penalties. While, he seemingly respects SEC Coordinator of officials John McDaid’s words, he believes change is necessary.

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“I haven’t had John McDaid tell me how we’re doing on it just yet,” Drinkwitz said. “When we leave it into judgement calls, everybody’s judgement is a little bit different.”

From our judgement, it looks like Drinkwitz wants to see his offense have more opportunities, and we can’t blame him. The 40-year-old head coach brought in key transfers this offseason such as Oklahoma wide receiver Theo Wease and Miami quarterback Jake Garcia.

Missouri will need all the talent it can muster. The unit posted a disappointing 6-7 record last season, falling to Wake Forest in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Tigers will kick off their 2023 season on August 31 against South Dakota.