Eliah Drinkwitz Signs Massive Missouri Contract, What Is HC's Updated Annual Salary?

Missouri announced Thursday it agreed to a new six-year contract with head coach Eliah Drinkwitz.

Drinkwitz's average compensation will climb to $10.75 million per year.

"My family and I believe deeply in the vision and leadership from our administration and are incredibly happy to continue calling Columbia our home," he said. "I'm grateful for the unwavering support of president Mun Choi, the Board of Curators, led by chair Todd Graves and incoming vice chair Bob Blitz, along with our athletics director Laird Veatch. We're also incredibly thankful for the support of our generous donors and NIL partners. I'm committed to continuing our work to build Mizzou into a championship program."

Mizzou is 45-28 in Drinkwitz's six years at the helm. The Tigers (7-4) have fallen off a bit in 2025 after notching 21 combined wins between 2023 and 2024, but they're headed to their sixth straight bowl game.

Giving Drinkwitz a raise from his $9 million in annual earnings reflects both Missouri's desire to keep him in Columbia and the continued growth in the coaching market.

Indiana rewarded Curt Cignetti with an extension worth $11.6 million per year. Nebraska is only 19-17 under Matt Rhule, but the school saw fit to make it more difficult for him to leave. Rhett Lashlee moved into the top 10 of the highest-paid coaches at the FBS level after he pledged his future to SMU.

Bigger contracts mean bigger buyouts. Should things turn sour with Drinkwitz within the next few years, Missouri will be on the hook for a sizable payout.

But the Tigers aren't a historical power and play in one of college football's toughest conferences. They'll always have to pay a premium to retain a good coach, and they clearly believe they have one.