Mizzou Tigers fill defensive coordinator role internally, reports say. How it will work
.JPG "Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker on the sidelines during the first quarter of a football game against Florida International University at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida on Saturday, November 23, 2019.")
Eliah Drinkwitz is filling the Missouri Tigers’ opening at defensive coordinator internally, according to reports.
Safeties coach Blake Baker, who joined Mizzou football’s coaching staff less than a month ago, is expected to be promoted to defensive coordinator, Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports and The Athletic’s Chris Vannini reported on Monday.
PowerMizzou.com and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported shortly after that duties at defensive coordinator will be split between Baker and linebackers coach D.J. Smith, who had recently been promoted to recruiting coordinator.
Steve Wilks, who served as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator in 2021, left the program less than a week ago to rejoin the NFL as a Carolina Panthers assistant.
Baker was linebackers coach at LSU last season, but he has prior experience as a defensive coordinator at Miami and Louisiana Tech.
Making the move internally aligns with Drinkwitz’ messaging in late January that the most important thing for the defense next season is stability. The unit struggled through the early part of 2021 as players adjusted to playing under Wilks.
With the promotion, Mizzou still has one opening remaining on the coaching staff. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Drinkwitz is in the process of trying to reach a deal with Troy cornerbacks coach Al Pogue to serve as the team’s new cornerbacks coach. They previously worked together on Auburn’s staff in 2011.
This story was originally published February 14, 2022 at 3:40 PM.
