Eli Drinkwitz shares how Kirby Moore’s arrival has changed his role

One of the biggest changes of the past offseason for Missouri was the arrival of new offensive coordinator Kirby Moore onto head coach Eli Drinkwitz‘s staff. Moore not only took over as the offensive coordinator but also as the team’s playcaller.

Drinkwitz held that role previously, which was resulted in the fourth-year head coach taking on some new responsibilities and perspective heading into the 2023 season.

“Obviously, there’s a little bit less involvement in the day-to-day offense and planning and scripting and doing some of those things that free me up to be more involved in special teams, maybe even more involved in analyzing some things on the defensive side of the ball, preparing for team meetings in a different way and delivering different messages,” Drinkwitz told the media.

“I’ve kind of embraced that. Really have enjoyed being in special teams and trying to emphasize — Coach Baker and I are leading the Sharks team, which is our kickoff team, and that’s been a lot of fun to take ownership of that and make sure that we’re covering kicks the right way.”

Moore came from Fresno State, where he was the offensive coordinator last year for the Bulldogs. It was his first time as an offensive coordinator.

“In the past, it was really the defense against me and the offense,” Drinkwitz said. “Now I’m just a neutral observer so I can cheer for both sides. Like I told Kirby after the first scrimmage, he’s all nervous because however it goes — if it goes good, he’s gonna be fine. If it goes bad, he’s gonna be upset. If offense did good, I was gonna be great,. If the defensive did good, I was gonna be great. It was a little bit relaxing there.”

Drinkwitz has led the Tigers to three bowl games in his first three seasons with the team but hasn’t had a winning record in any of the seasons. Last year, Missouri went 6-6 during the regular season while making the Gasparilla Bowl, where they lost to Wake Forest.

The Tigers also went 6-6 during the 2021 regular season before losing in their bowl game to finish with a 6-7 losing record.

Missouri opens it season on Aug. 31 at Faurot Field against South Dakota. Its first matchup versus a Power Five program comes two weeks later when Kansas State travels to Columbia, Mo., for an exciting non-conference matchup.