Mizzou football and Eliah Drinkwitz finalize majority of assistant coaching contracts
With Missouri Tigers coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s assistant coaching staff assembled, contract details for most of his assistants have been finalized, according to documents.
As part of Drinkwitz’s contract, he has a $5.2 million pool to pay 10 assistants. Drinkwitz makes $4 million per year.
Seven of the 10 assistants finalized their contracts. Offensive assistant Marcus Johnson, the last of the assistants hired, has not yet signed his contract.
Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters and defensive assistant David Gibbs, two of three holdovers from former coach Barry Odom’s staff, have yet to renew their contracts. Walters has two years at an $800,000 annual salary remaining on his contract. Gibbs made $300,000 in his first year at Mizzou in 2019. He has a clause that pushes his salary to $420,000 in 2020.
Defensive line coach Brick Haley, the third assistant from Odom’s staff, did finalize a new deal with Mizzou. His contract was extended to February 2023 and he also earned a raise from $515,000 to $625,000 annually.
Offensive assistant Curtis Luper, who is expected to have some role as an offensive coordinator, signed a three-year deal with a $550,000 annual salary. Of the new staff additions, Luper’s was the most important. He previously coached at TCU and his son, Chance Luper, a three-star wide receiver, recently decommitted from Boise State and holds an offer from Mizzou.
Offensive assistant Bush Hamdan signed a two-year deal for $400,000 annually. If he stays on staff until March 2021, his salary is bumped up to $550,000. Hamdan’s last post was as offensive coordinator at Washington.
Three assistants followed Drinkwitz from Appalachian State. Defensive assistant Charlie Harbison earned a two-year deal worth $415,000 each year. Special teams coordinator Erik Link will make $425,000 per year on his two-year contract. Defensive assistant D.J. Smith inked a two-year deal that pays him $350,000 annually.
Offensive assistant Casey Woods signed a two-year deal with an annual salary of $310,000. Woods was last at Alabama-Birmingham.
Two support staff members also signed contracts. Strength and conditioning coach Zac Woodfin will make $400,000 annually while director of football operations Andy Lutz is set for $175,000. Those figures do not come from the $5.2 million pool for assistants.
Every assistant has the same incentive package:
$10,000 for aspirational academic achievement.
$25,000 for winning the SEC East and participating in the conference championship game. $50,000 for winning the SEC conference champ game.
Different bonuses if Mizzou qualifies for a bowl (assistant must coach in the bowl):
$15,000 for Birmingham Bowl or non-affiliated SEC bowl
$20,000 for Citrus Bowl or SEC Group of Six
$30,000 for a New Year’s Six bowl (non-playoff)
$50,000 for a College Football Playoff participant
$60,000 for College Football Playoff championship participant
$75,000 for a College Football Playoff National Championship
$5,000 for 10 games won, $10,000 for 11 games and $15,000 for 12 games
$5,000 for a top 25 ranking in the AP, coaches or College Football Playoff poll
$5,000 for being a finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant. $10,000 for winning the award.