Eli Drinkwitz takes odd parting shot at fellow SEC coaches over looming football schedule format decision

The future SEC scheduling format is one of the many things on the agenda for this week’s SEC spring meetings in Destin, Fla. It’s been the subject of plenty of conversation this offseason, and mixed opinions continue to roll in.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz made the case for a nine-game schedule Tuesday while meeting with reporters — and, in the process, took an interesting parting shot at his fellow coaches.

Drinkwitz detailed his thoughts on a nine-game schedule, according to On3’s Jesse Simtonton, who’s on site in Destin. He said while he thinks the 3-6 model of three permanent opponents and six rotating opponents makes sense, he wants the colleagues to do what’s best for the SEC and their programs.

But regarding the debate between an eight and nine-game schedule, Drinkwitz made a unique comparison when it comes to getting things done this week.

“I’m a history teacher by trade,” Drinkwitz said, via The Athletic’s Seth Emerson. “And every time I come to one of these meetings I’m blown away that the thirteen colonies actually formed a union. But we can’t agree on an eight or nine-game schedule.”

That decision-making process is important to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, who spoke with On3’s Ivan Maisel ahead of the spring meetings and spoke about the need for “healthy collaboration” when deciding what the new schedule will look like. The SEC is moving to 16 teams in 2024 when Oklahoma and Texas join, and divisions will go away regardless of the model the league chooses.

“We have a history of coming together, making decisions (whether unanimous or not) and moving forward,” Sankey told Maisel. “It does seem somewhat different than what others have experienced of late, but we have to work to bring people together and continue our healthy collaboration.”

Sankey previously said the new scheduling model “could be” decided this week, but he pointed out the multiple factors in play with the decision. Not only are Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC a year earlier than planned, but the College Football Playoff is also expanding early. All of that, Sankey said, plays a role in the conversation.

That said, the goal remains the same: Keep the SEC on top of college athletics.

“The league at the forefront of college athletics does not stand still. And this is the league at the forefront of college athletics,” Sankey said, via Emerson. “Now whether change happens immediately is part of the careful consideration. And a deep consideration.”