Scratch one more name off the list of available coaches this cycle. Eli Drinkwitz isn’t going anywhere.
On Thursday morning, the Missouri head football coach announced he has officially agreed to a contract extension with Mizzou. The school’s Board of Curators met on Wednesday to authorize the athletic department to move forward with a proposed extension. Reports at the time stated no announcement was “imminent.” Unlike other situations around the country, Drinkwitz wasted no time debating whether to re-up with his school.
“My family and I are thankful to be (at) Mizzou,” Drinkwitz wrote in a post on social media. “Why Stop Now!!!”
Mizzou announced the extension shortly after, confirming it is a 6-year deal that will keep Drinkwitz in town through 2031.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the extension will bump Drinkwitz’s salary to an average of more than $10.7 million per year. He’ll make $10.25 million in 2026.
In December 2023, on the heels of an 11-win season, Mizzou awarded Drinkwitz a contract extension through the 2028 season that bumped his pay to $9 million per year.
According to the USA Today salary database, Drinkwitz’s new salary would firmly put him among the 10 highest-paid coaches in the sport. He ranked 11th among FBS coaches for pay this season.
Only 5 coaches in the country made more than $10.7 million this season, per the USA Today database — Steve Sarkisian at Texas, Dabo Swinney at Clemson, Lincoln Riley at USC, Ryan Day at Ohio State, and Kirby Smart at Georgia. Drinkwitz’s $10.25 million salary for 2026 would be on par with what Alabama paid Kalen DeBoer this year.
Drinkwitz’s new deal will also include an “increased commitment” to the salary pool for his assistant coaching staff.
Missouri is 45-28 across 6 seasons under Drinkwitz’s leadership. The Tigers have won 28 games over the last 3 seasons.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
