COLUMBIA, Mo. — Mizzou Athletics announced Thursday that Head Football Coach Eliah Drinkwitz has agreed to a new six-year contract with an average annual compensation of $10.75 million. Drinkwitz’s new contract, approved Wednesday by unanimous vote of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, runs through the 2031 season.
“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. “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. 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.”
Since becoming head coach in December 2019, Drinkwitz has elevated Mizzou into one of the nation’s most consistently competitive programs. Heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale at Arkansas, the Tigers have won 28 of their last 37 games since the start of 2023 and for the sixth consecutive season have qualified for a bowl game under his watch.
With a 21-5 record over the 2023-24 seasons, Drinkwitz, the 2023 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, became only the second head coach in program history to record back-to-back double-digit win seasons. With two more victories this season, the Tigers will have won 30 games over three seasons for just the third time in program history. Drinkwitz owns the best home winning percentage (minimum four seasons) in Mizzou history with a 33-9 record (.786) at Memorial Stadium.
“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,” 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. Our ‘Will to Win’ is clear — 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.”
Since arriving at Mizzou after a one-year stint as head coach at Appalachian State, Drinkwitz has coached 16 players who have earned 18 all-conference honors from 2020-25, including 10 first-team All-SEC selections, and coached 17 Tigers who were selected in the NFL draft, including five chosen in the first and second rounds. All-American candidate Ahmad Hardy, the nation’s leading rusher heading into Saturday’s game, is Mizzou’s third Doak Walker Award finalist in five seasons under Drinkwitz.
The Tigers have sold out 20 straight home games, surpassing the program’s previous record of 18 set in 1978. That momentum will carry into 2026, when the $250 million Memorial Stadium Centennial Project opens — a transformative north concourse renovation that will further elevate the profile and brand strength of Mizzou Football under Drinkwitz’s leadership.
“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.”
“Coach Drinkwitz is an invaluable leader for the University of Missouri, and 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.”
“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.”
Fans interested in joining the waitlist for 2026 Mizzou Football season tickets may do so at THIS LINK. Season ticket renewals are expected to be available in the coming weeks, and waitlist sales will begin this spring.
