The Missouri Tigers have officially made their first coaching staff hire under new head coach Eli Drinkwitz.

Per a release from the school, Drinkwitz has hired former Appalachian State colleague Charlie Harbison as his associate head coach/defense.

The release recounts Harbison’s years of experience, during which he has coached at 4 different SEC schools:

Twice named one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters by Rivals (2005, 2010), Harbison has been part of teams that have qualified for six conference championship games and 19 bowl appearances, including the BCS National Championship Game, two Orange Bowls, two Sugar Bowls and two Cotton Bowls.  He’s spent 20 years combined in the SEC and ACC with stops at Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU and Mississippi State.  He’s also got one year of NFL experience, as he spent the 2018 season as defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals, before joining Drinkwitz’s staff at App State in 2019.  At Arizona, Harbison coached Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson as the Cardinals’ defense was the league’s fourth-best in pass defense, allowing 203.9 yards per game.

Drinkwitz issued a statement, praising Harbison’s wealth of knowledge and high-level experience:

“Charlie brings a wealth of experience with him to the defensive side of the football, having coached at the highest levels including the SEC and the NFL,” said Drinkwitz.  “He’s an outstanding man of character who knows what it means to mentor players both in football and in life.”

Details of Harbison’s contract and his specific duties will be released at a later date, per the release.