Mizzou signs Eli Drinkwitz to contract extension through 2028

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Just two days after defeating No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz has received a contract extension. The UM Board of Curators approved an extension on Sunday for Drinkwitz that lasts through the 2028 season, according to a press release.

Drinkwitz was named the SEC Coach of the Year by both the Associated Press and the conference's head coaches this season. He led the Tigers to their first 11-win season since 2014 and the team's first New Year's Six bowl victory in the College Football Playoff era.

Earlier this month, Drinkwitz also signed a top 25 recruiting class for the third time in four years. That 2024 class includes 11 four-star prospects and five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri, the top-ranked recruit in the state of Missouri.

"My family and I want to thank the Board of Curators, President Choi and Desireé Reed-Francois for their faith in me as the head coach," Drinkwitz said in Sunday's press release. "You can't do this alone, and our players, coaches and staff have worked tirelessly and believed in the process of building a championship program. The passion of our fan base, alumni and donors is awesome, and we are proud to represent them."

"With Coach Drinkwitz's innovative leadership, Mizzou Football has taken major steps to become a championship contender on college football's national stage," Reed-Francois said in the press release. "Coach Drinkwitz and his staff have done a tremendous job in this modern era of intercollegiate athletics."

Mizzou just wrapped up the 2023 season with an 11-2 record. The Tigers will kick off the 2024 season with a matchup against Murray State at Faurot Field on Aug. 31.