It’s official: Missouri hires Eliah Drinkwitz as next head coach; AD, Drinkwitz release statements
By SDS Staff
Published:
The Missouri Tigers have a new football coach. On Tuesday morning, Mizzou announced the hiring of Appalachian State head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. The 36-year-old only has one year of head coaching experience, but he has a deep offensive background.
Drinkwitz becomes Missouri’s 33rd head coach in program history. Drinkwitz led the Mountaineers to the 2019 Sun Belt Championship and finished 12-1 on the season. He’s worked under Gus Malzahn at Auburn in 2010-11, and he’s proven that he can coach an offense everywhere else. Prior to landing the Appalachian State job, Drinkwitz was an assistant at Arkansas State, Boise State and NC State.
In 2019, Appalachian State finished ninth in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 39.4 points per game. Missouri finished 91st averaging just 25.3 points per game.
“I can’t wait for every Tiger to meet Eli, he’s a special guy who has a magnetic personality that people will appreciate and enjoy,” Missouri AD Jim Sterk said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to have him here at Mizzou leading our program, he’s got passion, a plan and a vision that will take this program to great heights. We went on a search looking for the right coach at a crucial time, and we found him. On behalf of everyone at Mizzou, I’d like to welcome Coach Drinkwitz, his wife Lindsey and their daughters Addison, Emerson, Ella and Parker Lynn to our family!”
Drinkwitz replaces Barry Odom, who coached at Mizzou for four seasons compiling a 25-25 overall record, including a disappointing 6-6 season in 2019.
“I’m excited for the opportunity of a lifetime to be the head football coach at Missouri,” Drinkwitz said in a statement. “This is a special place with special people. I know this is the Show-Me State, and I’m fired up to show this state what our football program is going to be all about. My wife, Lindsey, and our four girls are excited to join the Columbia community and be a part of Mizzou.”
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
