Eli Drinkwitz, head coach of the Missouri Tigers football team, began his coaching career by winning a national championship in his first season. As of 2022, he prominently displays his championship ring in his office at Missouri.
Before the 2010 season, Drinkwitz joined the Auburn Tigers as a quality control assistant under head coach Gene Chizik. During that season, Auburn finished with a perfect 14-0 record and claimed the national title, defeating Oregon 22-19 in the BCS championship game.
In a conversation with the Montgomery Advertiser, Drinkwitz shared that his responsibilities at Auburn included organizing practice materials, editing film, drawing plays, and assisting the offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn. He emphasized the importance of preparation and organizational skills learned during that season.
Here are some key details about Drinkwitz:
Full name: Eliah Drinkwitz
Age: 41 (born April 12, 1983)
Hometown: Alma, Arkansas
Education: Arkansas Tech University
Spouse: Lindsey Silvis Drinkwitz
Prior to leading the Missouri Tigers, Drinkwitz served as head coach for Appalachian State in 2019, where he led the team to a remarkable 12-1 record. His coaching journey also includes assistant positions at Auburn, Arkansas State, Boise State, and NC State. He earned his first coordinator role at Arkansas State in 2013 and later became Boise State’s offensive coordinator.
Drinkwitz’s contract with the University of Missouri was extended through the 2028 season, with the new deal guaranteed at $9 million for 2024 and 2025, rising to $9.5 million by 2028. He previously had a contract that set his salary for 2024 at $6.25 million. Bonuses for his new contract include potential earnings for conference honors and playoff appearances.
Regarding a buyout clause, Drinkwitz would owe Missouri $5 million if he left for another job before December 1, 2025, with the amount decreasing over time. Conversely, should he be dismissed without cause, Missouri would owe him 75% of his remaining contract.
In 2023, Drinkwitz was named SEC Coach of the Year after leading Missouri to an 11-2 record and securing a victory over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. His tenure at Missouri has seen a marked improvement, as prior to 2023, his record stood at 17-19 over his first three seasons.
Drinkwitz played high school football at Alma High School in Arkansas, where he earned all-conference and all-state honors. He initially pursued a legal career while studying at Arkansas Tech University, where he also volunteered as a high school football coach.