Eli Drinkwitz’s name is already in the mix as Florida State searches for its next coach, and it’s not hard to see why. Missouri has kept winning under him, and the Tigers are once again in position to push for a College Football Playoff spot.
Florida State opened the coaching carousel on Sunday when it fired Mike Norvell after the Seminoles dropped to 3-5 with a loss to Clemson. Almost immediately, Drinkwitz surfaced as a possible target, with ESPN listing him among the candidates for the vacancy.
The appeal is obvious from Florida State’s side. ESPN noted that Drinkwitz’s name came up during an active coaching cycle in 2025, including for other SEC jobs, but he remained at Missouri for a seventh season.
The report also said he would likely leave the SEC only for one of the better jobs in another league, and that Florida State would need to convince him with its roster budget and overall investment in the program. At 43, he has already shown he can recruit and win with portal players, and he brings a defined approach to running a program.
He also has ACC experience from his time at NC State, though he has never coached in Florida or the Southeast.
Drinkwitz’s résumé is strong enough to make him a real name in this search. He is 64-32 overall as an FBS coach and finished No. 8 in 2023.
Missouri has also shown flashes against top competition, including a recent rout of then-No. 8 Florida, even if the Tigers have struggled against other ranked teams.
His run in Columbia has been steady. Drinkwitz is 51-31 at Missouri and has delivered at least eight wins in each of the last three seasons.
That said, Missouri still has plenty in front of it. The Tigers are 6-2, and what happens over the next three games could shape how aggressively Florida State - or anyone else - comes after Drinkwitz.
Missouri hosts Texas, then goes to Georgia, and then returns home for Kentucky. All three opponents are currently ranked in the Top 10.
Before Missouri, Drinkwitz spent one season at App State and went 12-1.
In Other News...
Mizzous Arkansas Win Came With One Lingering Concern
Missouris 34-10 win over Arkansas gave the Tigers another solid step forward in a season that has started to take shape on the strength of defense and ball security. The Tigers forced four turnovers and controlled the game in a way that made the final margin look comfortable, even if the offense never fully found its rhythm. Ahmad Hardy made a limited return after missing time with an injury, while Jamal Roberts handled the bulk of the work as the primary running back and gave Missouri enough production to keep the ground game moving.
Still, the performance was not spotless, and the red zone issues stood out as the one lingering concern from an otherwise convincing afternoon. Missouri moved the ball well enough to win going away, but the offense left some points on the field and did not always finish drives the way it would like against better competition. For a team trying to build momentum, the defense keeps providing a sturdy foundation, but the next step is making sure the offense matches that standard when the field gets shorter. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Fans Got One More Reason To Celebrate This Arkansas Win
Missouris 34-10 win over Arkansas gave the Tigers more than another rivalry victory. It pushed Eli Drinkwitzs team to bowl eligibility and extended Missouris run of success in the series to five straight, a steady stretch that has made this matchup feel increasingly one-sided from the Tigers perspective. The offense found its rhythm after halftime, with Austin Simmons throwing two touchdown passes and Jamal Roberts powering the ground game with 138 yards and two scores.
There was also a welcome sight in the backfield as Ahmad Hardy returned after recovering from a gunshot wound and got back on the field for Missouri. He logged two carries for five yards, a modest contribution on the stat sheet, but an important step in his comeback. With bowl season now secured, the Tigers can turn the page with momentum and a little more depth than they had just a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Just Got A Huge Boost In A Rivalry Win Fans Loved
Rainy conditions did not slow Missouri down in its 34-10 win over Arkansas, and the Tigers made the most of every mistake the Razorbacks gave them. Missouri forced multiple turnovers, turned those into 24 points, and got a steady effort from quarterback Austin Simmons, who threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns in a game that had the feel of a rivalry statement from the start.
Ahmad Hardys return gave the Tigers another lift, with the running back back on the field for the first time this season after dealing with an injury. For Missouri, it was the kind of complete performance that plays well in a rivalry game: opportunistic on defense, efficient enough on offense, and strengthened by the return of a key piece just when the stretch run starts to matter most. [Read more 🡒]