KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Athletics has announced a contract extension for head football coach Eli Drinkwitz, who now is set to remain in Columbia through the 2031 season.
After his name was involved in various coaching rumors — some of which he pushed back on publicly — Drinkwitz has signed a deal worth an average of $10.75 million per year, Missouri announced Thanksgiving morning.
It is a six-year contract and was approved Wednesday by unanimous vote of the University of Missouri Board of Curators.
“My family and I believe deeply in the vision and leadership from our administration and are incredibly happy to continue calling Columbia our home,” Drinkwitz said in a news release. “I’m grateful for the unwavering support of President Mun Choi, the Board of Curators, led by Chair Todd Graves and incoming Vice Chair Bob Blitz, along with our athletics director Laird Veatch.
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“We’re also incredibly thankful for the support of our generous donors and NIL partners. I’m committed to continuing our work to build Mizzou into a championship program.”
LSU, Penn State and Florida are among the major college football programs searching for new head coaches this offseason.
The Missouri Tigers enter the weekend 7-4, amid one of the most successful runs in program history. Last year’s Tigers went 10-3, finishing with a Music City Bowl victory over Iowa. The year before, Drinkwitz’s Tigers went 11-2, defeating Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl.
That followed three straight campaigns in which the Tigers, under Drinkwitz, finished at or below .500. But Missouri has been bowl eligible for six straight seasons now, winning no fewer than six games in a full season under Drinkwitz. (The Tigers went 5-5 in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.)
Drinkwitz is one of just two coaches in program history to have won double-digit games in two straight seasons, and that streak could have been extended to three if not for a quarterback injury during the 2025 season. Drinkwitz, the SEC coach of the year in 2023, also holds the best home winning percentage in Mizzou history, minimum four seasons, at .786 (33-9).
“Under his vision and leadership, Coach Drinkwitz has transformed the standard for Mizzou Football and united our entire program and fan base behind a clear pursuit of excellence,” athletic director Laird Veatch said. “We’re thrilled he will continue leading our team into the future. This is an incredible time for our program: Our unprecedented 20-game home sellout streak speaks to our fans’ tremendous passion and commitment, while the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project reflects our growing and sustained investment in Mizzou Football.
“It’s also critically important that we continue providing Coach Drinkwitz with the resources necessary to build and develop championship rosters in the Southeastern Conference. This new contract reflects our commitment to further strengthening and enhancing those resources. ... We’re fully aligned behind Coach Drinkwitz and eager to keep building with him as he leads this program forward in the pursuit of championships.”
To date, Drinkwitz has coached 10 first-team All-SEC selections and 17 NFL draft picks at Mizzou. The Tigers’ 20-game home sellout streak, which will continue into 2026, topped the previous program mark of 18 reached in 1978.
Reaction to the Drinkwitz contract
Several notable figures commented on the Drinkwitz extension in the Mizzou Athletics news release, including Missouri Chancellor and UM System President Mun Choi.
“Coach Drinkwitz represents the excellence, integrity and ambition we strive for across our institution,” Choi said. “His leadership has united our community and state and positioned Mizzou Football for long-term success. We are proud to support him as he continues building a program that reflects the very best of the University of Missouri.”
Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves called Drinkwitz “an invaluable leader for the University of Missouri.”
“His influence extends well beyond our campus,” Graves said. “His energy and commitment have elevated our football program and inspired Missourians across the state. We are fully invested in his vision for Mizzou Football and remain committed to supporting his continued leadership.”
Incoming Vice Chair Bob Blitz was also quoted in the news release.
“Our agreement to terms transcends traditional contract objectives such as market value and a meeting of minds,” Blitz said. “The overriding factor was that you can’t replace an Eli Drinkwitz, his thirst for championships, loyalty to MIZ, or as a molder of young men who now and in the future will be examples of our University. These traits can’t be measured in dollars.”
