Missouri, Eli Drinkwitz agree to contract extension through 2031

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz has agreed to a contract extension that will pay him an average of $10.75 million per season, the school announced Thursday. The agreement adds two years onto Drinkwitz’s current deal, keeping him under contract through 2031, and would make him the sixth highest-paid college football coach in the country according to contract data collected by USA Today in October 2025.

Only Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, USC’s Lincoln Riley, Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Georgia’s Kirby Smart made more this season than Drinkwitz’s expected $10.75 million annual compensation, according to USA Today.

“My family and I believe deeply in the vision and leadership from our administration and are incredibly happy to continue calling Columbia our home,” Drinkwitz said in a news release.

Missouri last announced a new deal with Drinkwitz in July, extending his contract through 2029. Drinkwitz was rumored to be a candidate for job openings at Florida, LSU and Penn State in recent weeks.

My family and I are thankful to be ⁦@Mizzou⁩. The support from our President, the Board of Curators, AD, boosters and fans is special!
Why Stop Now!!! #STP pic.twitter.com/cpk31xwnBW

— Eliah Drinkwitz (@CoachDrinkwitz) November 27, 2025

Since arriving from Appalachian State in 2019, Drinkwitz has led the Tigers to six consecutive bowl game appearances. Missouri is 28-9 since the beginning of 2023, having finished 11-2 in 2023 and 10-3 last season. Drinkwitz is the second coach in program history to produce back-to-back seasons of double-digit wins, joining Gary Pinkel in 2013-14.

Drinkwitz has compiled a 45-28 overall record in Columbia. With wins in its season finale against Arkansas and a bowl game, Missouri would post a third consecutive season with at least nine wins for the first time.