Eli Drinkwitz’s Mizzou staff will have 2 defensive line assistants for the 2022 season. In a Friday release, Drinkwitz announced the hiring of Kevin Peoples and confirmed Al Davis will remain an on-field assistant.

Davis, who was promoted to defensive line coach during the 2021 season after Jethro Franklin’s October dismissal, will serve as the assistant coach for the interior defensive line. Peoples will be the assistant coach for the edge defensive line.

“Al Davis and Kevin Peoples are strong coaches and leaders to work with our defensive line,” Drinkwitz said. “They’re experienced individually but also together with their relationship. We made good progress at the line as the season progressed. Our defensive linemen will learn a lot from Al and Kevin.”

Davis said he’s excited to work with Peoples, a coach he played for.

“I’m proud of the progress we made as a defensive line in 2021,” Davis said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to continue as a member of Coach Drinkwitz’s staff. To work with Coach Peoples, a man I know well and played for myself, brings excitement and experience to our group.”

Peoples arrives from Indiana. He is a 28-year coaching veteran with experience at Tulane, Georgia Southern, UAB, Arkansas State and Arkansas, where he coached Davis.