Eli Drinkwitz is paid an average of $10.75 million a year at Missouri on a six year contract that runs through the 2031 season. The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved it unanimously in November 2025, four months after his previous extension, as SEC rivals LSU, Florida, Arkansas and Auburn were all searching for coaches. He makes $10.25 million in 2026, with $200,000 raises each year.
| 2026 salary | $10.25 million, rising $200,000 a year to $11.25 million in 2031 |
| Average | $10.75 million a year over six years |
| If he leaves | $5 million in the first year, then $4 million, resetting each December |
| Automatic extension | One more year added if Missouri wins eight regular season games |
| Previous pay | About $9 million; Missouri had already extended him through 2029 in July 2025 |
How It Compares
| Coach | School | 2026 pay |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Elko | Texas A&M | $10.75 million |
| Brent Venables | Oklahoma | $10.5 million average |
| Eli Drinkwitz | Missouri | $10.25 million |
Contract terms are from the Board of Curators approval as reported by the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated. The full national list is on our college football coaching salaries page.
The Bottom Line
Eli Drinkwitz averages $10.75 million a year on a six year Missouri contract through 2031, starting at $10.25 million in 2026, with a $5 million cost to leave and a one year extension for any eight win regular season. Follow the Tigers on the Missouri football schedule, Missouri score today and Missouri NIL.