If Eli Drinkwitz elects to leave Missouri football for one of the many, many head-coaching vacancies around the country, then Dec. 2, 2025, is an important date to know.
Why?
In Drinkwitz’s latest contract extension with Mizzou, which he signed in February 2025 but details of which were only made public this past July, the terms of the buyout remained the same as his previous deal.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat means that when the clock strikes midnight Tuesday, Dec. 2, Drinkwitz’s liquidated damages for terminating his current contract without cause will drop from $5 million to $4 million.
Removing the legal lingo:
If Drinkwitz takes another job before Dec. 2, then he would owe the University of Missouri a total of $5 million for breaking the terms of the deal.
If he takes another job on or after Dec. 2, then he would save himself $1 million and owe the university $4 million.
Now, there aren’t any rules against leaving before his buyout drops. But …
That’s not exactly chump change, even for a coach who will be paid $9 million in total compensation, before bonuses, for his services this year. If it’s a matter of waiting two or three days to save a seven-figure sum, you would expect that coach to do so.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDrinkwitz is currently signed through the 2029 football season, with his latest contract extension — the third extension in his six seasons with the program — set to expire on Jan. 15, 2030, or the day after the team’s final game that season, whichever comes later.
The sixth-year Mizzou coach, who the Tigers hired from Appalachian State in December 2019, began this season as the tied-for-fifth highest-paid coach in the SEC. That meant he had a top-10 paying coaching job in the country.
Now, that list likely has shifted and changed because of multiple firings and extensions around the nation this season. But, he’s still more or less in that top-10/15 range with his current Mizzou deal.
Nov 15, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz reacts to play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesDrinkwitz’s name has appeared on the hot boards for at least four different coaching vacancies since they opened earlier this year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere’s an argument that Drinkwitz is a top-two or top-three candidate for each of the Penn State, LSU, Florida and Auburn jobs.
More: Which schools have Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz on hot board?
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But, a decision on that front isn’t likely to arrive until Dec. 2.
Indeed, if anything is announced before that date, it’s likely to be good news for fans who want Drinkwitz to remain in Columbia; the contract extension, kind of news.
Drinkwitz has been asked multiple times over the course of the past couple months about the speculation surrounding his future at the end of this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe has not confirmed that he will stay or go, insteading calling the chatter a distraction and saying he won’t comment on message board and social media posts or reports.
Will he stay for a seventh season, or will the Tigers’ game Saturday, Nov. 29, on the road at Arkansas be the last of his Mizzou tenure?
It’s likely that we won't get a firm answer until at least Dec. 2.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Vital date on Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz contract is Dec. 2
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