Mizzou set to add Curtis Luper to Eliah Drinkwitz’s staff as offensive coordinator
Missouri Tigers coach Eliah Drinkwitz is nearing the completion of his assistant coaching staff with the hiring of TCU co-offensive coordinator Curtis Luper.
Luper confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Wednesday night that he will join the Mizzou staff. It’s unclear what Luper’s official title will be with the Tigers, although it’ll at least be co-offensive coordinator. At his introductory news conference Dec. 10, Drinkwitz said he will handle offensive coordinator and play-calling duties.
Drinkwitz has seven of 10 assistant spots officially filled, with Ryan Walters staying on as defensive coordinator the latest. Luper would be the eighth member of the staff. On Thursday, Drinkwitz officially announced David Gibbs, who served as cornerbacks coach under former coach Barry Odom, would stay on staff in a to be determined role.
When Luper arrives in Columbia, he’ll already know a current Mizzou player well: quarterback Shawn Robinson. Luper was TCU’s co-offensive coordinator from 2017-19, which includes Robinson’s two seasons at TCU. It’ll be a reunion between the two as Robinson is expected to be the starter for the 2020 season opener.
Drinkwitz and Luper have a history as they were both on Gene Chizik’s staff at Auburn. Luper was running backs coach at Auburn from 2009-12, while Drinkwitz served as a quality control assistant from 2010-11.
“Chris [Thomsen] and Curtis are really good coaches and Missouri and Florida State got two good ones,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati told the Star-Telegram. “They had really valuable contributions here and we’ll miss them. They’re both good guys, but like anything else, you’ve got to keep building.”
Luper’s son, Chance, a three-star receiver out of Fort Worth Christian, received an offer from Missouri on Wednesday. Chance has been committed to Boise State.
Signs pointed toward Luper returning to TCU for an eighth season early this week when he didn’t land the University of New Mexico head coaching job.
Prior to coming to Fort Worth, Luper had stints at Auburn (2009-2012), where he helped land 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, and his alma mater Oklahoma State (2005-08). Luper was a running back at Oklahoma State in the 1980s, playing with future Hall of Famers in Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas.
This story was originally published December 19, 2019 at 2:52 PM with the headline "Mizzou set to add Curtis Luper to Eliah Drinkwitz’s staff as offensive coordinator."
