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Mizzou to lose co-DC DJ Smith to App State job, per report
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Mizzou is coming off of 2 of the best seasons in recent program history, but the coaching staff of Eli Drinkwitz is reportedly expected to take a hit.
According to a report from Matt Zenitz with CBS Sports, the Tigers are losing co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach DJ Smith to Appalachian State as the next DC for the program. Smith is a former App State standout who served on Drinkwitz’s 2019 App State staff before following the head coach to Mizzou.
Smith has coached linebackers for the Tigers since 2020 and added the co-DC role ahead of the 2022 season. He has also been Mizzou’s recruiting coordinator since January 2022.
The defense for Mizzou has been especially impressive the past two seasons while finishing 26th and 19th nationally in points allowed per game for 2023 and 2024, respectively. The Tigers have gone 20-5 in that span with a chance to make it back-to-back 10-win seasons on Monday.
Recruiting has also been solid during Smith’s time serving as the recruiting coordinator. The Tigers finished 20th nationally with their 2024 recruiting class and added the 19th recruiting class in the country for the 2025 cycle.
We’ll see how Drinkwitz adjusts his staff for the 2025 season and beyond.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
