Head coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers are in need of a new offensive coordinator for the first time since before the 2023 season.
Kirby Moore is set to become the next head coach at Washington State, ending a three-year tenure in Columbia that coincided with one of the best stretches in program history. Moore reinvigorated the offense in his first season as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator, leading to a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State, but an underwhelming 2025 season from the offense led
some to ask if it might be mutually beneficial for him and MU to part ways.
Mizzou featured one of the nation’s best rushing attacks this season, but the offense struggled with creativity at times and often ground to a halt when the running game couldn’t get gain traction. The Tigers’ next offensive coordinator will be tasked with providing a boost to the team’s passing attack and returning MU closer to its 2023 form.
Here’s an initial list of some names Mizzou could look at to fill the offensive coordinator vacancy:
Splash Hires
Kirby Moore’s $1.3 million salary, combined with the additional $4 million allocated to Mizzou’s staff salary pool after the Eli Drinkwitz extension, give the Tigers more than enough money to make a play for some of the top offensive coordinators in the country. These names could be possibilities if MU wants to make a splash.
Jonathan Smith
Smith was a rising star in the coaching profession just a few seasons ago when he took over as the head coach at Michigan State. He led Oregon State to three consecutive bowl games and was the 2022 Pac-12 Coach of the Year during his five seasons in Corvallis after coaching at both Boise State and Washington under Chris Petersen. Smith was unable to get his rebuild off the ground over two seasons in East Lansing, leading to his dismissal after the final regular season game this year.
But our very own Nate Edwards shared on social media that he believes Smith should be Mizzou’s first call due to his past success running a scheme very similar to what the Tigers have been using under Drinkwitz. Smith’s success as both a head coach (at Oregon State) and offensive coordinator (at Washington), similar style to what MU runs and indirect ties to Drinkwitz (through Boise State) make him the first name on this board.
Garrett Riley
Riley won the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach, in 2022 after steering the TCU offense to an appearance in the national championship game. Max Duggan also finished runner-up in the Heisman that season and won the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the top quarterback in the country. That success during his one season in Fort Worth got him the attention of Dabo Swinney, who brought him to Clemson.
His results have been more mixed with the Tigers, helping the team to an ACC title and a College Football Playoff appearance last season but failing to find the same success he had with TCU and SMU before that. With Dabo Swinney and Clemson seemingly on a downward trend, this offseason might be the right moment for Riley to look elsewhere. That could lead to a reunion with Eli Drinkwitz, who he coached with at Appalachian State in 2019 as running backs coach.
Bobby Petrino
If the Tigers are looking to make a splash, Bobby Petrino is absolutely a possibility. A likely one? No. But it’s difficult to completely discount one of the college football’s top offensive minds, especially after two seasons where he had the Arkansas offense among the best in the nation, despite the considerable baggage that comes with hiring him.
Petrino has found notable success as both a head coach and offensive coordinator during his long coaching career, the last three of them in the SEC. Mizzou’s emphasis on team culture and running-oriented offensive style make Petrino an unlikely candidate. But there’s no doubt hiring him would make a splash. (Editor’s note: Ew. No thank you.)
Gus Malzahn
Speaking of unlikely hires… is there any chance this offseason could see the Gus Bus pull into Columbia? Malzahn has long been known as an offensive innovator during an extensive coaching career that features plenty of SEC experience. He was the offensive coordinator for Arkansas during the Darren McFadden years before running Auburn’s offense during its 2010 national championship season with Cam Newton.
That led him to a head coaching job at Arkansas State, where he gave Eli Drinkwitz his first collegiate position coaching job, and then back to Auburn. He returned to a coordinator role this season at Florida State in a disappointing year for the Seminoles. If Malzahn wants to become a head coach again, it may not happen under Mike Norvell. A potential reunion might make sense for Drinkwitz and his mentor.
Bryan Harsin
Harsin was Chris Petersen’s offensive coordinator at Boise State during the Broncos’ Fiesta Bowl-winning seasons before serving as co-OC for Mack Brown at Texas, which gave him the opportunity to replace Malzahn as Arkansas State head coach. One Sun Belt title-winning season later and he was headed back to Boise (with Drinkwitz in tow), where he won 10 or more games five times in seven seasons.
That success caught Auburn’s attention, where he again served as Malzahn’s successor, but the odd geographic fit and reported culture issues led to two contentious and underwhelming seasons. Harsin took a year off before re-emerging this season as Cal’s offensive coordinator, and his work this year with freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele earned him a Broyles Award nomination. Harsin’s time at Auburn might give some pause, but his long track record of success and long connection with Drinkwitz make him a logical candidate.
Chip Lindsey
Lindsey served as the offensive coordinator at Michigan this season after two years at North Carolina, where the Tar Heels boasted an elite rushing attack with Omarion Hampton. UNC ranked seventh in the nation in 2023, Drake Maye’s final collegiate season, with more than 490 yards per game. Lindsey spent several years coaching with Gus Malzahn before then, serving as his offensive coordinator at UCF in 2022 and at Auburn during the 2017-18 seasons.
He also has head coaching experience, leading Troy from 2019-21, but never had success in the big chair. Assuming that Michigan opts for a completely fresh start, Lindsey should be available this offseason and has a strong history of success leading offenses at the power conference level. His impressive resume, combined with the connections to Drinkwitz through the Malzahn coaching tree, could make him an intriguing fit for the Tigers.
Coordinator Connections
A run through the assistant staff lists at Eli Drinkwitz’s stops prior to Mizzou provided plenty of qualified names for the offensive coordinator position that have worked with the Tigers’ head coach in the past. If Drinkwitz decides on a less splashier hire who he has existing ties to, it might be from one of the five names below.
Casey Woods
Woods has led the SMU offense for the last four seasons under Rhett Lashlee, playing a key role in the program’s revitalization and College Football Playoff appearance last year. He’s also a name that should be familiar to Tigers fans: he was Drinkwitz’s tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator from 2020-21. It might be difficult for Mizzou to pull Woods away from the Mustangs’ success (and deep pockets), but he might be one of the Tigers’ best options as someone with existing ties to the program and high-level success as a coordinator.
Tim Beck
Beck replaced Jamey Chadwell as Coastal Carolina’s head coach and led the Chanticleers to bowl appearances in all three seasons in Conway, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his firing at the end of the regular season. He has extensive experience as an offensive coordinator at the highest levels of college football, including at Ohio State and Texas. Beck has been nominated for the Broyles Award three times and coordinated the NC State offense from 2020-22, the same role that Drinkwitz held under Dave Doeren two seasons prior.
Desmond Kitchings
One of MU’s best options might be someone they are preparing to coach against right now: Virginia offensive coordinator Des Kitchings. He’s been the Cavaliers’ offensive coordinator for the past three seasons under Tony Elliott, helping the program to an appearance in the ACC title game this season. Kitchings also spent eight years on the staff at NC State, coaching the team’s running backs and serving as co-offensive coordinator in 2019. His running-oriented background, which includes a season as the Atlanta Falcons’ running backs coach, and three years working with Drinkwitz make him a possible candidate for the Tigers.
Trooper Taylor
Taylor is currently preparing for the College Football Playoffs at Texas A&M’s associate head coach on offense and running backs coach. He has coached at three different stops in the SEC, including two years of overlap with Drinkwitz when he was at Auburn, and has several years of experience as both a running backs and wide receivers position coach at the power conference level. Something Taylor hasn’t done, though, is coordinate an offense, making him a less likely candidate for the position. But his prominent spot on the Aggies’ coaching staff and connections to Drinkwitz make him an outside possibility.
George McDonald
McDonald spent the last two seasons as one of Lane Kiffin’s key offensive assistants, serving as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Ole Miss. His role in the explosive Rebels offense, combined with his time working with Drinkwitz at NC State, could make him an attractive candidate for the job. His minimal coordinator experience (last OC role was in 2019) and his planned move to Baton Rouge with Kiffin make him a less likely hire, though.
Outside Options
Of course, it’s possible that Drinkwitz could look outside of his immediate connections in the coaching world for Mizzou’s next hire. The next four names are current coordinators that would be attractive candidates, and for various reasons may have an interest in the position.
Jason Beck
Beck was in charge of the second-best rushing attack in college football this season by yards per game at Utah as the Utes averaged nearly 270 yards per game, over 35 more running yards per game than Mizzou. An electric running attack has been the staple of his offense the past two seasons: New Mexico ranked fifth in rushing offense and fourth in the FBS in total offense during the 2024 season, his second as an offensive coordinator. With Kyle Whittingham’s retirement Friday, Beck may be open to a move to the SEC.
Jake Spavital
Spavital’s offense has been arguably the best thing going for Baylor the past two seasons. The Bears have consistently lit up the scoreboard with the pairing of Spavital and quarterback Sawyer Robertson, finishing both 2024 and 2025 in the top-25 in total offense. He also has offensive coordinator experience at Cal, West Virginia and Texas A&M, plus four years as the head coach at Texas State. Spavital could be looking to make a move with Dave Aranda likely on the hot seat entering next season, and he would be an enticing option if Mizzou wants to truly revamp its passing game.
Jonathan Brewer
Brewer has coordinated the Duke offense for the past three seasons under Manny Diaz, helping the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC title since 1962, and also serves as the team’s quarterbacks coach. Duke is averaging 34 points per game this season and scored more than 40 points five times. He was the quarterbacks coach at SMU before his move to Durham, also giving him an indirect connection to Drinkwitz through Rhett Lashlee. Brewer is not likely to be at the top of Mizzou’s list, but he has shown the ability to lead a productive offense the past few seasons.
Possible Internal Hires
The Tigers have two highly regarded offensive position coaches with previous coordinator experience, making them possible candidates for the job. If the Tigers go with an internal hire, it will likely be one of these two coaches.
Curtis Luper
Luper has coached three separate Mizzou running backs to become Doak Walker Award finalists, given to the nation’s top running back, over the last five seasons. He has been key to the Tigers’ offensive success through the running game, and he was the co-offensive coordinator under Gary Patterson for six seasons at TCU prior to joining Drinkwitz’s staff. If the Tigers are focused on maintaining their elite rushing attack, there’s a possibility Luper is the best candidate for the job.
Jacob Peeler
Peeler is in charge of Mizzou’s wide receivers and oversees the team’s recruiting, giving him a key role on the staff. He also has multiple stops as an offensive coordinator, spending two years at Texas State before coming to Columbia and also running the Ole Miss offense in 2019. Peeler is known as an elite developer of wide receivers, helping send Luther Burden III, A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf to the NFL, among others.
