The Coaching Carousel: Eli Drinkwitz at the Center of College Football Speculation
In the high-stakes world of college football, coaching vacancies at prestigious programs like Penn State and Florida have sparked intense speculation about who might fill these coveted positions. Among the names consistently appearing in these conversations is Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, a rising star in the coaching ranks who has transformed the Tigers into a competitive SEC program. As rumors swirl around several major coaching jobs, Drinkwitz finds himself at the center of the speculation storm despite his public attempts to “ignore the noise.”
According to Bleacher Report’s Brad Shepard, Drinkwitz would be an ideal candidate to take the helm at Penn State, potentially offering him advantages he doesn’t currently enjoy at Missouri. Shepard argues that Penn State provides a “firmer recruiting base and national profile” compared to Missouri, along with significant financial backing through Adidas. The timing could be advantageous as well, with several key Nittany Lions players including Kaytron Allen, Drew Allar, and Nicholas Singleton expected to depart for the NFL, giving a new coach the opportunity to rebuild with fresh recruits. Shepard even suggested that Drinkwitz might bring along Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula, who ironically transferred from Penn State and has eligibility remaining for next season after accumulating 1,617 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Tigers.
At just 42 years old, Drinkwitz has built an impressive coaching resume since taking over at Missouri in 2020. His career path includes valuable experience as an offensive coordinator and position coach at programs like Auburn, Arkansas State, and NC State. Under his leadership, Missouri has flourished, currently sitting at No. 13 in the rankings with a 6-1 record, their only loss coming against perennial powerhouse Alabama. The Tigers face another significant challenge this weekend against 10th-ranked Vanderbilt, but Drinkwitz has already demonstrated his ability to elevate Missouri’s program, with the team reaching rankings as high as No. 6 and No. 8 in previous seasons. While they haven’t yet made the College Football Playoffs under his guidance, they’ve maintained consistency with four consecutive bowl game appearances.
Beyond Penn State and Florida, reports suggest Drinkwitz would be a top candidate for other prestigious programs searching for new leadership, including Auburn, LSU, and Oklahoma. Industry insiders believe his stock has risen so significantly that smaller programs like Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech would have little chance of securing his services. This widespread interest underscores how quickly Drinkwitz has established himself as one of college football’s most promising coaching talents, capable of building competitive programs and developing talent. His offensive acumen, recruiting abilities, and proven success in the challenging SEC environment make him an attractive option for any high-profile program looking to compete at the highest levels.
Despite the persistent rumors, Drinkwitz has publicly expressed frustration with the speculation surrounding his future. At a recent press conference, he criticized what he perceives as a lack of journalistic integrity in reporting about coaching vacancies, describing much of the coverage as “wild, outlandish reporting.” His comments reflect the challenging position successful coaches often find themselves in when their achievements attract attention from other programs. For Drinkwitz, the focus remains on building upon what he’s started at Missouri, even as his name continues to appear in discussions about virtually every major coaching vacancy in college football.
While outside observers may see Drinkwitz as an ideal fit for programs like Penn State, the University of Missouri likely views him as equally vital to their future plans. The Tigers have experienced significant improvement under his leadership, becoming a consistent threat in the SEC and maintaining regular bowl game appearances. Missouri may well be prepared to fight to retain their head coach, recognizing the value he brings and the potential for continued growth with stability at the helm. As the coaching carousel continues to spin throughout the college football landscape, Drinkwitz’s situation exemplifies the complex dynamics at play when successful coaches become the objects of widespread speculation and interest from competing programs, creating a fascinating subplot to the current college football season.
