It’s already that time of year as big-time programs are searching for new head coaches. With the firings of James Franklin and Billy Napier, it will certainly be intriguing to see who ends up at Penn State
and Florida. If you’re reading this, you probably know that Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz has been reported as a “candidate” at both schools.
It’s still a big IF at this point if Drinkwitz leaves Missouri, but the possibility is there. That’s why we asked the question in our latest SBN Reacts survey — which program is the biggest threat to potentially hire Eli Drinkwitz?
Per the results, the vast majority believe that Florida is the biggest threat for Mizzou’s head coach.
The Florida job could be quite enticing writes Nathan Hurst:
Of all the programs with current openings, Florida is the only one that has won a championship (two actually) this millennium. They have won three of the things in the last 30 years. It has been proven by more than one coach that Florida is place where good coaches can win at the highest level. That can’t necessarily be said about every job in the SEC.
However, Hurst gives Penn State the better chance to land Drinkwitz:
All in all though, I think Penn State might actually have a better pitch for Drink than Florida if they choose to make it. Being a top dog in the Big 10 is a heck of a lot easier than being one of 10 top dogs in the SEC. That said, I’d be quite surprised if he gets an offer.
Though, staying at Mizzou might just end up being the most likely scenario:
Ultimately, I don’t think Drinkwitz will leave to take any of these jobs, even if offered. But hey. If he does, Mizzou is in a hell of a better place than it was in late 2019 when he was hired. The facilities improvements and NIL support means the pool Mizzou would be drawing from would be much, much richer than what it was when Jim Sterk brought his first sad-sack list of names to the curators in December 2019. That’s not a bad place to be.
While the rumors may be a cause for concern, the Missouri Football program is in a great situation if their current head coach is being considered for blue blood programs. Mizzou has the opportunity to make a statement and keep Drinkwitz with his stock rising.
