How will Mizzou’s offense operate under Drinkwitz? Here’s an early look at his style
When Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz leads his Tigers in their first football practice next spring, all eyes will be on how he operates his offense.
After all, that’s his calling card. Drinkwitz is considered to be one of the bright, up-and-coming young coaches operating a high functioning offense. During his path from middle school to the SEC, Drinkwitz, 36, has always been an offense-first coach.
Those were the expectations when Drinkwitz was formally introduced on Tuesday by Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk and other university officials. While Drinkwitz transitions from Appalachian State to Mizzou, at least one thing will remain the same on the field: Drinkwitz will be the offensive coordinator and playcaller. He did that with the Mountaineers, where he compiled a 12-1 record and won the Sun Belt conference title in his lone season.
“I firmly believe when you take over a program, you have to establish the expectation and foundation for what your experiences are,” Drinkwitz said. “For me, my background is a quarterbacks coach, developer and offensive coordinator. It’s allowed me the opportunity to be here.”
Drinkwitz is tasked with fixing a Mizzou offense that collapsed after a strong start to the 2019 season. The Tigers averaged 38.8 points per game in the first six games but scored a combined 71 points the rest of the season.
Quarterback Kelly Bryant struggled with injuries and was ineffective, as other issues like a stalled running game and failed third down conversions bogged down what used to be an explosive offense.
“Our style of play on offense is a pro-tempo style,” Drinkwitz said. “We’re going to base it out of the no-huddle. ... We’re going to be able to have a dominant down-low game and vertical passing game. And we’re going to execute well under pressure.”
For current Mizzou players, there’s excitement about Drinkwitz’s scheme, wide receiver Barrett Banister said. Former coach Barry Odom was Drinkwitz’s opposite, working his way up as a defensive coordinator before becoming Mizzou’s top guy.
“Innovative, goal-driven,” Banister said of Drinkwitz’s offensive background. “He likes the process of being a good football team and he isn’t just focused on the product. I think that’s important. He understands what it’s like to grow and do that every single day on a consistent basis.”
Drinkwitz said his offense — the foundations of which he learned from Auburn coach Gus Malzahn — has evolved over the years. Drinkwitz’s offense developed into what it is today while he worked alongside Boise State coach Bryan Harsin.
As with many offenses, the key component relies on the quarterback. Drinkwitz stressed five characters he looks for in a quarterback: toughness, preparation, decision-making, accuracy and leadership.
“Those five requirements don’t fit in a box,” Drinkwitz said. “Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes. But I think the great quarterbacks possess those five things.”
Mizzou’s quarterback situation holds intrigue after Bryant exhausted his eligibility. The trio of Shawn Robinson, Taylor Powell and Connor Bazelak will compete for the starting job. Bazelak, who tore his ACL in the season finale against Arkansas, is expected to be healthy for the start of fall camp.
Robinson, the grad transfer from TCU, projects to be the front-runner. He brings a varied skillset with his arm and feet, including starting experience in the Big 12. Powell served primarily as Bryant’s backup in 2019, including a start at Georgia when Bryant was hurt.
“There is no perfect answer for what a quarterback is going to look like,” Drinkwitz said. “But I do know if you possess those five characteristics, then you can play quarterback for me.”
The Mizzou offense also features other potential weapons returning: Larry Rountree III, Tyler Badie and Banister, among others. Mizzou lost tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and center Trystan Colon-Castillo to the NFL Draft.
Drinkwitz’s immediate priority is recruiting as he visited with recruits in his first days as coach. But after he settles down in Columbia and focuses on the Xs and Os, he’ll be judged largely on how the Mizzou offense performs.
“We’re going to lay the foundation for what the expectation of what the offensive football looks like,” Drinkwitz said. “Will I call plays forever? I don’t know. But I know I’m going to call plays the first day of spring practice and as long as I need to.”