Missouri Curators unanimously approve Drinkwitz’s contract: Tigers have new coach
The Missouri Tigers officially have their new football coach.
The Missouri System Board of Curators approved coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s contract in a unanimous decision Tuesday morning, chair Jon Sundvold said. A 10:45 a.m. news conference was scheduled at the Show-Me club in the south end zone at Memorial Stadium to introduce Drinkwitz.
Drinkwitz, 36, succeeds former coach Barry Odom, who was fired Nov. 30 after four seasons at Mizzou in which he compiled a 25-25 record.
“I’m excited for the opportunity of a life to be the head football coach at Missouri,” Drinkwitz said in a release. “This is a special place with special people.
“I know this is the Show-Me State, and I’m fired up to show the state what our football program is going to be about. My wife, Lindsey, and our four girls are excited to join the Columbia community and be a part of Mizzou.”
Drinkwitz’s contract approval wraps up an eight-day coaching search by Mizzou athletic Jim Sterk. Drinkwitz was previously at Appalachian State for one season, where he guided the Mountaineers to a 12-1 record and Sun Belt title.
Terms of Drinkwitz’s contract with MU were not disclosed early Tuesday, but it’s believed it will pay him about $4 million annually. That would place his yearly income somewhere in the middle of the pack among salaries earned by the SEC’s 13 other head coaches.
“I can’t wait for every Tiger to meet Eliah. He’s a special guy who has a magnetic personality that people will appreciate and enjoy,” Sterk said. “I’m thrilled to have him here at Mizzou leading our program — he’s got passion, a plan and a vision that will take this program to great heights.
“We went on a search looking for the right coach at a crucial time, and we found him. On behalf of everyone at Mizzou, I’d like to welcome Coach Drinkwitz, his wife Lindsey and their daughters Addison, Emerson, Ella and Parker Lynn to our family.”
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 9:01 AM.