Mizzou football coach Drinkwitz agrees to new $10M contract

COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri head football coach Eliah Drinkwitz has agreed to stay with Mizzou for another six years, officials announced Thursday. 

“My family and I believe deeply in the vision and leadership from our administration and are incredibly happy to continue calling Columbia our home,” Drinkwitz said. “I’m grateful for the unwavering support of President Mun Choi, the Board of Curators, led by Chair Todd Graves and incoming Vice Chair Bob Blitz, along with our athletics director Laird Veatch. We’re also incredibly thankful for the support of our generous donors and NIL partners. I’m committed to continuing our work to build Mizzou into a championship program.”

The new six-year contract was unanimously approved by the University of Missouri Board of Curators on Wednesday. He’ll receive an average annual salary of $10.75 million.

“Our agreement to terms transcends traditional contract objectives such as market value and a meeting of minds,” Blitz said. “The overriding factor was that you can’t replace an Eli Drinkwitz, his thirst for championships, loyalty to MIZ, or as a molder of young men who now and in the future will be examples of our University. These traits can’t be measured in dollars.”

Drinkwitz became head coach in 2019. He’s the second head coach in program history to secure back-to-back double-digit win seasons. If the team wins two more games this season, the Tigers will have won 30 games over three seasons for the third time in program history. 

“Under his vision and leadership, Coach Drinkwitz has transformed the standard for Mizzou Football and united our entire program and fan base behind a clear pursuit of excellence,” athletics director Laird Veatch said. “We’re thrilled he will continue leading our team into the future. This is an incredible time for our program. … It’s also critically important that we continue providing Coach Drinkwitz with the resources necessary to build and develop championship rosters in the Southeastern Conference. This new contract reflects our commitment to further strengthening and enhancing those resources. Our ‘Will to Win’ is clear — we’re fully aligned behind Coach Drinkwitz and eager to keep building with him as he leads this program forward in the pursuit of championships.”

Under his leadership, 16 players have earned 18 all-conference honors from 2020-25. He’s coached 17 players who were selected in the NFL draft, including five chosen in the first and second rounds.