3 Missouri defensive assistants to reportedly stay on staff under Eli Drinkwitz
There won’t be a complete overhaul for Missouri’s staff in 2020.
According to FootballScoop, new Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz is expected to retain several defensive assistants from former head coach Barry Odom’s staff. Defensive coordinator/safeties coach Ryan Walters, defensive line coach Brick Haley and defensive backs coach David Gibbs are all expected to stay at Missouri.
Walters has held various roles over his five seasons with the Tigers. In addition to coaching either the safeties or secondary every year, he was co-defensive coordinator from 2016-17 and has been the defensive coordinator since 2018.
Haley has been with the Tigers the past three seasons, also serving as senior associate head coach the past two years. He’s a longtime assistant coach who has had success coaching Missouri’s defensive line.
Gibbs just completed his first season at Missouri after previous stints with Houston (2013-14) and Texas Tech (2015-18).
Missouri introduced Drinkwitz as its new head coach on Tuesday, as he was hired after spending only one season as the head coach at Appalachian State. He had a successful year with the Mountaineers, leading them to a 12-1 record and the Sun Belt championship.
With these three defensive assistants expected to return, Drinkwitz will have less work to do in filling out his staff, although he’ll still have some other decisions to make.
Haley and Gibbs, yes, Walthers meh, not so much, would like to see Drinkz bring in a top young DC, not that he has any in his pocket. The mistakes of his predecessors was thinking the ballboy/waterboy could be trained up to be an OC/DC.
Calling Dooley a waterboy is an insult to waterboys everywhere.
I agree, Walter’s stunk it up. He needs to be up in the press box where he can see everything his opponents are doing. He’s not smart enough or experienced enough to be on the sidelines and you can’t think about the next down while you are waving your hands to communicate with the team. Do your job and let somebody else do theirs. Here is just the worst half of his points allowed in 2019,…37 points, 27, 21, 29, 27, 24
To be honest, I like that he kept the key coaches on Defense. I think Walters came into his own last season and was probably the most improved across the previous staff. Walter just may be that up and coming DC. Kirby Smart is on record earlier this season, saying that they periodically watch our defensive tape for cutting edge ideas. It took all these years but, I became a believer in Walters philosophy and style of play. The other plus is that, only the offensive side has to learn a new system this spring. While the guys on D get to hone in on their crafts and responsibilities even further.
I would say either the whole team was out partying all night from mid-season on OR both Walters and Dooley were.
Defense needs to change their craft because they don’t have a lot crafty players. Meaning they came up short on DEs. Too slow and no technique. Not poor technique, no technique. We need speedy crafty D ends more than more of the same. After that I see improvement in how they defend as unit and their hybrid safety/LB . offensively the line took a step (or got knocked) back this year it seemed. Special teams has more room to grow and I don’t know that they would with Andy. Who, btw is almost indispensable as a recruiter along with Ford.but it may be time to clean house as far as pinkel era coaches. Besides , his offense so he’ll want his brand in the OCs repertoire. I can’t wait to see who is #2 & #3 RBs. If nikko is really the TE AOK was thought to be. Not me. The unusual frosh year did not allow me to regard him as high as sports people did. Anyway dissappointed but ready to see what he can do with a program that hasn’t hit the 60s success for a minute now.
Not-retaining Dooley= A good decision ! Now let’s see if he can hire some quality position coaches.
I agree with Wolfman. Haley stopped much of the run, finally got some pass rush going. Gibbs, still new, at least developed some turnovers and interceptions. Walters? Walters never really developed much in his players or his defensive tactics, allowing Barry to give lots of games away. Yes, wolfman, partying and feeling your coaches were at a crap shoot.