Mizzou Football Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz Reflects on Chippy Moments Caught on Tape
Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz is known for his competitive attitude and drive to win, but in a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show, he reflected on moments where his passion may have gone a bit too far.
The 2023 SEC Coach of the Year and Arkansas native was asked whether his animated sideline moments are intentional or if he simply gets caught off guard by the microphone and cameras.
Drinkwitz admitted it’s a mix of both, explaining, “I think the one I had a couple years ago in Tennessee… I did not anticipate that to go the way it did.”
The incident he was referring to took place when Missouri defeated Tennessee 36-7 at Faurot Field in November 2023.
During the postgame handshake, Drinkwitz got chippy with Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, telling him, “We stand on business, Josh.”
Looking back, he acknowledged that while he knew he was mic’d up, he assumed there would be some control over what made it to the public.
“I knew I was wearing a microphone, but I thought for sure we would have creative control and be able to catch that and make sure it didn’t become public,” he said.
Drinkwitz also touched on another heated moment—this one involving Mississippi State—when Barstool Sports caught him on camera saying, “Hey Mississippi State, shut the f—k up or I’m gonna score.”
Reflecting on the incident, he appeared slightly embarrassed and admitted he hadn’t expected it to gain much attention.
“I didn’t really think that one would go anywhere either, but it did, and it’s alright. It is what it is.”
The outspoken Drinkwitz has played a key role in reviving Mizzou’s football program, bringing sustained success back to Columbia.
During his five seasons at Mizzou, he has a 38-24 overall record, guided the Tigers to four straight bowl games and secured back-to-back finishes in the AP Top 25.
Missouri capped off the 2024 season with a 10-3 record, finishing 22nd in the AP Final Poll and securing a 27-24 victory over Iowa in the Music City Bowl.
