Drinkwitz Dismisses Buzz: "Mizzou's My Focus, Not Rumors"

Drinkwitz Dismisses Coaching Rumors as "Distraction" Amidst SEC Openings

Columbia, MO – Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz has addressed swirling rumors linking him to several vacant head coaching positions within the Southeastern Conference, dismissing them as nothing more than a distraction. With four SEC programs – Arkansas, Florida, LSU, and Auburn – currently searching for new leadership, speculation has run rampant, and Drinkwitz's name has been tossed around quite a bit, especially given his past stint as quarterbacks coach at Auburn (2010-11).

Drinkwitz Dismisses Buzz: "Mizzou's My Focus, Not ...

"I'm not going to comment on message board chatter, tweets [or] sources," Drinkwitz stated firmly on Tuesday, according to ABC 17 News. "I've maintained with you and our team that my complete focus is on the task at hand." He pointedly added, "Last week, people were tired of me because I couldn't win the big game. People had me meeting with my team and telling them that I was going to another school. None of which were true."

It's a sentiment that many coaches

It's a sentiment that many coaches in successful programs must share. The success breeds speculation, and the online world amplifies it tenfold. Drinkwitz seems acutely aware of this, noting the fickle nature of fan sentiment. "Now, this week, it's a different story because we scored the second-most points in the SEC this year [49]. All of this stuff is just a distraction."

Drinkwitz emphasized his commitment to Missouri, reminding reporters that he recently signed an extension this past summer that keeps him in Columbia through 2029. "Since I've been here, I've signed multiple extensions. In fact, I signed one this past summer," he clarified. “All the speculation is really a tribute to our team's success and their commitment to our team. That's where my focus is going to remain, on our team and our current situation."

And it's hard to argue with the success he's had. Since taking over in 2020, the Tigers are 45-27. They've achieved double-digit wins in the last two complete seasons and are bowl-eligible for the fifth consecutive year. Before Missouri, he led Appalachian State to a stellar 12-1 record in 2019, further cementing his reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks.

Currently ranked 22nd nationally with a

Currently ranked 22nd nationally with a 7-3 overall record and a 3-3 mark in SEC play, Missouri has two tough road games ahead against No. 8 Oklahoma and Arkansas. It’s understandable that Drinkwitz wants to keep his team focused amidst the noise.

He’s not the only SEC coach facing such rumors, of course. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has also been linked to the LSU and Florida vacancies, with reports suggesting family members have even visited the schools. Coaching carousel season is officially in full swing, and it's always entertaining, if not a little disruptive for the teams involved.