ESPN REPORT: Eli Drinkwitz Missouri Tigers Football Head Coach Stuns College Football World, Rejects Jaw-Dropping $9.5 Million OCC Offer from Kansas, Georgia to Remain with the Missouri Tigers…
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz has reportedly turned down jaw-dropping offers from both the Kansas Jayhawks and Georgia Bulldogs—each worth a staggering $9.5 million annually—to remain with Mizzou.
Sources close to the situation told ESPN that both programs aggressively pursued Drinkwitz following Missouri’s breakout 2024 season, which saw the Tigers finish with a 10-2 regular-season record and earn a top-10 national ranking. The Georgia Bulldogs, looking for a fresh offensive mind to lead their program into a new era, and Kansas, eager to capitalize on its recent rise, saw Drinkwitz as the ideal candidate.
Despite the allure of a massive pay raise and the chance to helm a perennial powerhouse, Drinkwitz made it clear that his loyalty lies with Columbia. “We’re building something special here,” he reportedly told players in a closed-door meeting. “This isn’t just a stop for me—it’s home.”
Missouri athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois praised the coach’s commitment. “Eli’s decision proves he’s not just about wins—he’s about legacy, about doing things the right way,” she said.
Drinkwitz’s choice is seen by many as a defining moment, not just for Missouri but for the sport itself, in an era increasingly driven by money and fast transitions.
