Missouri football is adding a seasoned vet to its staff for the impending season.

The Tigers are hiring longtime defensive coach David Blackwell as a defensive consultant, head coach Eliah Drinkwitz announced Thursday. Blackwell will work alongside the coaching staff, but will not coach a specific position.

One of the more decorated coaches in college football, Blackwell has spent 3 decades coaching across the NCAA realm. Previous stops prior to his arrival in Columbia include Illinois State, Pitt, Clemson, South Florida, Fordham, Jacksonville State, East Carolina, Old Dominion, and Louisiana Tech. Most recently, Blackwell served as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator under now USFL Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz.

“David’s coordinated and been a part of some really good defenses over the years and will provide a great sounding board for Coach [Blake] Baker and our defensive staff,” Drinkwitz said in a statement.

Before heading to Ruston, Blackwell’s best season as a play-caller came in 2018 at East Carolina. The Pirates ranked 15th nationally in sacks and 3rd in forced three-and-outs. During his time at Jacksonville State, Blackwell was a finalist for the FCS Defensive Coordinator of the Year in both 2015 and 2016.

The Tigers finished 6-7 last season under Drinkwitz, losing 27-17 to Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl.