From Eliah Drinkwitz’s salary to buyout, here are his Mizzou contract details
The University of Missouri System Board of Curators approved Eliah Drinkwitz’s six-year, $24 million contract as head football coach Tuesday morning.
It’s a major pay raise for Mizzou’s new coach, who made $750,000 in his one season at Appalachian State, according to a USA Today database.
Drinkwitz will make $4 million per season at Mizzou, with a base salary of $450,000, according to a sheet of contract terms handed to reporters Tuesday. Drinkwitz’s full contract was not yet available.
While former coach Barry Odom made the same base salary, his total compensation was $3.05 million after receiving an extension last year.
Drinkwitz’s assistant coaching pool is set for $5.2 million for 10 assistant coaches and $1.2 million for administrative staff. That’s a slight bump compared to Odom’s pool, which was right under $5 million. After his opening news conference Tuesday, Drinkwitz said he planned to retain a few assistants from Odom’s staff, though he didn’t name specifics.
If Mizzou fires Drinkwitz before the end of his contract, he’s entitled to “total liquidated damages of 70% of the total remaining annual compensation for the remaining contract term.” The amount would include Drinkwitz’s annual $4 million salary, not just his $450,000 base salary.
If Drinkwitz leaves Mizzou before the end of his contract, the amount he’d pay the school slowly shrinks. After his first year, it’s a $6 million buyout. Following his second year is $4 million, then $3 million after his third year, $2 million after his fourth and $1 million after his final year.
Should the Tigers win eight or more games or a bowl game in Drinkwitz’s first two years, his contract is extended by one year with an annual raise of $100,000.
The contract includes other incentives should Drinkwitz lead the Tigers to success. If Mizzou wins 10 to 12 games, is ranked in the final Top 25, or if Drinkwitz wins AP or SEC coach of the year, he earns $25,000.
Other incentives include $150,000 for winning the SEC championship, $250,000 for reaching the College Football Playoff and $500,000 for winning the national championship. Drinkwitz also gets two courtesy cars, a suite and premium access for football games, spouse and family travel on the team charter and other perks.
Mizzou also paid Drinkwitz’s $1.7 million buyout from Appalachian State. Drinkwitz earned 5% of his base salary, or $22,500, for moving expenses. He’s also allowed access to a university-owned condo for up to six months for temporary housing.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 1:38 PM.