Eliah Drinkwitz, head coach of the Missouri Tigers football team, has been dismissed following a series of controversies that have overshadowed his tenure. Despite leading the team to an impressive 11-win season in 2023, culminating in a victory over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Drinkwitz’s recent actions have raised concerns among university officials and stakeholders.([CBSSports.com][1])
In February 2025, an ethics complaint was filed against Drinkwitz after he publicly endorsed mayoral candidate Blair “Murph” Murphy during a university-affiliated radio show, “Tiger Talk.” The complaint alleged that this endorsement violated the University of Missouri’s employee political activity policy, which prohibits university employees from engaging in political endorsements during official university events or using university resources for such purposes .([Wikipedia][2])
Further complicating matters, reports surfaced indicating that the owner of the Missouri Tigers football team expressed deep frustration over new rules implemented by Drinkwitz, including unconventional practice schedules and changes to player evaluations. These changes were perceived by some as overreaching and detrimental to traditional football values, leading the owner to publicly declare plans to sell the franchise .([skysport4][3])
Despite his earlier successes, including a Music City Bowl victory in 2024, these controversies have led to a reevaluation of Drinkwitz’s leadership. The combination of the ethics complaint and internal disputes regarding his coaching philosophy has ultimately resulted in his dismissal. The University of Missouri and the Missouri Tigers football program now face the challenge of finding a new leader to guide the team forward.([skysport4][3])
[1]: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/missouri-extends-coach-eli-drinkwitz-through-2028-after-11-win-season-victory-over-ohio-state-in-cotton-bowl/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Missouri extends coach Eli Drinkwitz through 2028 after 11-win season, victory over Ohio State in Cotton Bowl – CBSSports.com”
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliah_Drinkwitz?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Eliah Drinkwitz”
[3]: https://www.skysport4.com/2024/10/10/the-owner-of-the-missouri-tigers-football-team-is-upset-by-yet-another-rule-eliah-drinkwitz-has-brought-to-the-game-and-he-has-declared-plans-to-sell-the-franchise/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “The owner of the Missouri Tigers football
team is …”
