Eli Drinkwitz Earns National Spotlight After Missouri Humbles Florida

Eli Drinkwitz's Missouri Tigers stunned Florida with a 45-17 victory on Saturday, showcasing a commanding performance that earned Drinkwitz the prestigious Paul Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week award. Led by quarterback Austin Simmons, who completed 23 of 30 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Jamal Roberts, who rushed for a career-high 211 yards and three scores, Missouri dominated the game with a staggering 560 total yards.

Drinkwitz, who previously coached at Appalachian State where he went 12-1 in 2019, has rapidly ascended to become one of the most respected coaches in college football. Since taking the Missouri helm in December 2023, he has transformed the Tigers into a consistent force in the SEC. In 2023 and 2024, Missouri achieved consecutive double-digit win seasons, earning Drinkwitz a six-year contract in November 2025, reportedly worth around $10.75 million per year, placing him among the highest-paid coaches in the sport.

Despite this impressive season, Missouri remains without a College Football Playoff appearance. Their closest to the postseason came in 2023 when they finished the season 11-2 and ranked eighth in the AP poll. However, since then, the program has faced challenges, and there has been increasing pressure on Drinkwitz to deliver more playoff wins.

Currently, Missouri stands at 4-1 and is ranked No. 14 nationally, but they must secure additional dominant performances to maintain their upward trajectory. Their next matchup is against Texas A&M before facing road challenges against Ole Miss and Arkansas.