Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz Draws Interest From Michigan Amid Coaching Search
Just weeks after locking in a new contract with Missouri, head coach Eli Drinkwitz is already being linked to one of the biggest jobs in college football. According to the Associated Press, the search firm tasked with finding Michigan’s next head coach has reached out to Drinkwitz’s representatives-a move that signals he's at least on the Wolverines’ radar as they navigate a sudden and high-stakes transition.
Michigan is in scramble mode after firing head coach Sherrone Moore earlier this week for cause, following an inappropriate workplace relationship. With the transfer portal window looming, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
The Wolverines are moving quickly, and Drinkwitz isn’t the only name in the mix. Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has also reportedly been contacted.
For Missouri, this comes at a particularly vulnerable moment. The Tigers just lost offensive coordinator Kirby Moore to Washington State, and now they may have to brace for the possibility of losing their head coach as well. That’s not the kind of offseason momentum any program wants, especially one that’s been steadily climbing under Drinkwitz’s leadership.
Now, let’s be clear-interest doesn’t equal intent. Just because Michigan reached out doesn’t mean Drinkwitz is packing his bags for Ann Arbor.
Search firms routinely cast wide nets during high-profile coaching hunts, and Michigan is almost certainly evaluating a long list of candidates. But the fact that Drinkwitz is on that list says something about how far he’s brought the Missouri program.
Since taking over in Columbia, Drinkwitz has led the Tigers to five consecutive bowl appearances-a level of consistency that’s hard to ignore in today’s volatile college football landscape. He’s built a program that’s not just competitive, but trending upward in the SEC. That kind of track record will always attract attention when blue-blood programs come calling.
As for Michigan, they’re in an unusual spot. Yes, they’ve got the resources, the brand, and the recruiting footprint to land just about anyone they want.
But they’re also dealing with off-field distractions and a ticking clock with the portal about to swing open. That urgency might push them toward a coach who’s already proven he can stabilize and elevate a program quickly-someone like Drinkwitz.
Still, any move from Missouri to Michigan would have to make sense on multiple fronts. Drinkwitz just inked a lucrative extension, and Missouri has shown it’s willing to invest in keeping him around.
Michigan would not only need to view him as their top choice, but also be prepared to offer a package that clearly outpaces what Missouri has already put on the table. That’s a tall order, even for a program with Michigan’s clout.
Meanwhile, Dillingham appears more rooted. The Arizona State head coach has expressed little interest in leaving his alma mater, making Drinkwitz a potentially more viable option-if he’s willing to entertain the idea.
For now, Missouri fans will be watching closely. Losing an OC and a head coach in the same offseason would be a serious blow to a program that’s been gaining traction. But until something more concrete develops, this remains a situation worth monitoring rather than panicking over.
Bottom line: Drinkwitz is in the conversation. Whether that conversation turns into something more remains to be seen. But when a program like Michigan starts making calls, the ripple effects are felt far beyond Ann Arbor.