Report: Missouri Tigers ink head football coach Eli Drinkwitz to extension

Missouri believes Eli Drinkwitz is building the Tigers into a future contender, and they’re giving him a contract extension to ensure he sticks around.

Amid the firing of Bryan Harsin by Auburn and a coaching carousel that’s about to hit its stride, the SEC program is locking up their coach. According to Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri is adding two years to Drinkwitz’s contract, as well as giving their coach a nice raise.

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“News: Mizzou has signed Eli Drinkwitz to a contract extension,” tweeted Matter. “… New deal adds two years to Drinkwitz’s contract through 2027. … New contract comes with a raise. Stay tuned on terms.”

Moreover, Drinkwitz came to Missouri after just one season as a head coach prior, a 12-1 season as the leader of the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Thus far in three seasons with the Tigers, Drinkwitz has amassed a record of 15-16, but Missouri is 4-4 on the season at the moment with a chance to go over .500 against Kentucky on Saturday.

Additionally, Drinkwitz is still looking of his first bowl victory with the Tigers, but it’s evident Missouri believes the coach can get them to where they believe the program can go.

While it’s been an uneven start to his tenure, Eli Drinkwitz is indisputably highly regarded by decision makers at Missouri, and he’ll be given ample time to build the program the right way.

Eli Drinkwitz weighs in on friend Bryan Harsin’s ouster as Auburn’s head coach

Meanwhile, fans might be happy to see Auburn move on from Bryan Harsin, but other coaches inside the SEC are always disappointed to hear the news. Especially as friendships grow through the conference and at previous stops. Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz still is a good friend of Harsin, no matter his employment status, and was disappointed to hear the news.

Drinkwitz knows there are three different sides to the coaching process in the SEC when someone is fired. He went to bat for Harsin’s past, citing his accomplishments while at Arkansas State and Boise State. There are of course others affected besides Harsin, with Drinkwitz knowing some other staff members as well.

“There’s a personal side and a business side and a fan side of this profession,” Drinkwitz said during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference. “I think Coach Harsin is a tremendous football coach. Obviously, he’s displayed that in his ability to win conference championships at two other previous schools. 

“Think he’s a good person and had to deal with some very difficult situations down there and I really think more about his family and the rest of that staff’s family because there is a personal side.”

Alas, Drinkwitz and Harsin were on staff together at Arkansas State during the 2013 season, with Missouri’s head coach being the then-offensive coordinator. They were able to secure a Sun Belt Championship and get an eight-win season with a bowl victory.