Mizzou extends Eli Drinkwitz’s contract through 2027, increases coach’s salary

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Two hours before Missouri kicks off against Kentucky in a pivotal division game, the university announced a two-year contract extension for head coach Eli Drinkwitz on Saturday. The new deal, which will include a pay raise, extends Drinkwitz’s original six-year contract through the 2027 season.

Drinkwitz, in his third season at Mizzou, is 15-16 with a 10-13 record in Southeastern Conference play. The Tigers (4-4, 2-3 SEC) are on a two-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s 11 a.m. game against Kentucky (5-3, 2-3).

Salary terms were not immediately available Saturday, but a university spokesperson confirmed Drinkwitz will make more in guaranteed pay under the new deal. His current contract pays $4 million a year before incentives, which ranks 12th among the 13 SEC head coaches’ salaries at public institutions. Drinkwitz’s first two Missouri teams secured bowl eligibility and the Tigers need two more wins to do the same this season. He’s also signed two consecutive top-20 recruiting classes.

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Earlier this week, Mizzou extended defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s contract through 2025 and increased his pay from $600,000 to an average salary of $1.2 million over the course of the new deal.

“We are appreciative of the support from our Board of Curators and President as we continue to build a championship-level program,” athletics director Desiree Reed-Francois said. “Our football team is on the right trajectory, and we are seeing results in recruiting and on the field. Coach Drinkwitz is a dynamic leader who brings people together and we believe in our football staff’s combined commitment to excellence in the classroom and in the community. We are looking forward to him continuing to lead our program into the future.”

“My family and I want to thank the Board of Curators, President (Mun) Choi, and AD Reed-Francois for their faith in me as a coach and leader,” Drinkwitz said. “You can’t do this alone, and our players, coaches and staff have worked their tails off and stuck with the process as we’ve built this program. We feel strongly about our trajectory and are proud to represent our state’s flagship institution. We are grateful for the investment in our program from the administration and excited about the future of Mizzou Football!”

Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz works the sideline during the first half against Louisiana Tech on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.

Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz watches before the start of a game against Louisiana Tech on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Columbia, Mo.

Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz watches before the start of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech Thursday, Sept. 1, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz answers questions from the press at the “Come Home Tour” stop Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the St. Louis Music Park, in Maryland Heights. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz shouts during drills on the first day of practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Columbia, Mo.

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Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz calls out a play during a game against Florida in Columbia, Mo. on Saturday, Nov.20, 2021.

Missouri Tiger Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz paces on the sidelines during a football game between the Missouri Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Missouri Tiger Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz reacts on the sidelines during a football game between the Missouri Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Missouri Tiger Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz coaches on the sidelines during a football game between the Missouri Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com