Missouri Tigers football coaching staff shaken up after Al Davis’ resignation
Missouri football’s defensive coaching staff is undergoing an offseason shakeup.
Defensive line coach Al Davis announced his resignation Friday, citing “personal reasons” related to family matters in a social media post.
“I want to thank Coach (Eli) Drinkwitz for giving me the opportunity to coach here over the last few years and wish the program well,” Davis said in the post. “They have a bright future under his leadership.”
After joining the staff in 2021 as a defensive analyst, Davis quickly worked his way into a role focusing on interior defensive linemen the following year. In 2024, he took the reins of leading all the D-linemen.
“Today, I accepted Coach Davis’ resignation, as he is stepping away from our program,” Drinkwitz said in a news release. “I want to thank him for his time with us and wish him the best moving forward.”
Defensive tackles coach David Blackwell will assume the additional responsibility of leading the entire D-line and work closely with edges coach Brian Early. Blackwell joined the Tigers’ staff in 2023 as a senior analyst before transitioning to defensive tackles coach ahead of the 2024 season.
Blackwell has a varied coaching background, including time as a defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech, Old Dominion, East Carolina, Jacksonville State and Fordham.
“We are fortunate to have a veteran in David to be able to step in and fill any additional coaching needs we might have at that position,” Drinkwitz said. “We’re looking forward to a seamless transition as we continue preparations for the 2025 season.”
Mizzou recruiting fallout
Davis’ resignation is already making an impact.
Four-star defensive lineman Anthony Kennedy Jr. decommitted from Mizzou on Friday, per a social media post. Kennedy was the first player to commit to Mizzou’s 2026 class but will now seek other options. He will visit Georgia, LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee, according to 247Sports.
The Little Rock, Arkansas, product is the fifth-ranked player in the state, the No. 36th-ranked defensive lineman in the country and the 428th-ranked recruit overall in the class of 2026, according to 247Sports.
Coupled with the decommitment of safety D’Montae Tims on Thursday, Mizzou’s 2026 recruiting class is down to just one member: four-star quarterback Gavin Sidwar.
Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian