Everything you need to know about Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz’s contract extension

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The details of Eli Drinkwitz’s new deal are official.

Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch met with local media Monday evening to discuss the details of Drinkwitz’s contract extension, which is, as of Dec. 1, now officially in effect.

Missouri football announced Thursday, Nov. 27, in a news release that Drinkwitz’s deal with the team had been extended through 2031. It marks his fourth contract extension since taking over the program and the second time he has put pen to paper on a new deal this year.

The contract is now readily available to view on the Missouri athletics website.

Here is every number — from buyout to a new automatic extension clause —that you need to know from Drinkwitz’s contract:

How much will Eli Drinkwitz be paid in new Missouri football contract?

Drinkwitz’s deal is worth $64.5 million over six years, or an average of $10.75 million per year through the 2031 football season. The deal is officially signed through Jan. 15, 2032.

Here’s what Drinkwitz will earn each year of his deal in total pay:

2026: $10.25 million
2027: $10.45 million
2028: $10.65 million
2029: $10.85 million
2030: $11.05 million
2031: $11.25 million

Perhaps most notable, Drinkwitz can earn a one-year extension every time he wins eight regular-season games — not postseason games — in a season. That would also trigger a $200,000 raise.

So, for example, if Mizzou wins eight or more games next season, then Drinkwitz’s deal will be extended through the 2032 season, and he would be set to earn $11.45 million that year.

What is Eli Drinkwitz’s buyout?

This is an important number for an in-demand coach. If Drinkwitz elects to take another job, his buyout fee, or the liquidated damages he would owe the university, has remained essentially the same as his previous contract.

If Drinkwitz accepts another job before Dec. 1, 2026, then he owes the university $5 million in liquidated damages. Between Dec. 2, 2026, and Dec. 1, 2027, the liquidated damages drops to $4 million for the following year.

His buyout, per the terms of the agreement, cannot exceed $4 million after Dec. 1, 2026.

If Drinkwitz triggers the automatic one-year extension, then the buyout is reset by a year. That makes it likely that the coach’s buyout will

On his previous contract, Drinkwitz would have owed Mizzou $5 million for accepting another job before Dec. 1, 2025, and $4 million for accepting another job between Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 1, 2026.

Veatch said this is on par with other coaches’ contracts in the SEC.

What is Mizzou’s buyout for firing Drinkwitz?

In the event Mizzou opts to terminate Drinkwitz’s contract without cause, which is contract-speak for getting fired, then it would owe him the following amount in guaranteed payments.

2026: $44,425,000
2027: $36,085,000
2028: $27,585,000
2029: $18,925,000
2030: $10,105,000
2031: $1,125,000

Those amounts are essentially equal to 80% of his remaining payment.

The payment schedule is quite friendly for Missouri. The university would owe the lesser amount of $7.5 million or 50% of the remaining liquidated damages up front.

As an example, if the university fired Drinkwitz next year, then it would owe $7.5 million immediately instead of half of $44 million.

The remainder of the payments, as is typical, would be paid in equal monthly installments.

What can Eli Drinkwitz earn in bonuses?

Drinkwitz can earn up to $2 million in annual incentives. Here are some of the notable bonuses on Drinkwitz’s new deal:

He can earn either $50,000 for a 10-win season, $100,000 for an 11-win season, or $150,000 for a 12-win season.
$150,000 for a Citrus Bowl or Group of Six Bowl (Music City, Gator Bowl, etc.) appearance.
$150,000 for the SEC Championship game appearance.
$400,000 for an SEC Championship win.
$400,000 to make the CFP; $500,000 for a CFP quarterfinal appearance; $600,000 for a CFP semifinals appearance; $1 million for a CFP title game appearance; $1.25 million for a national title. Only one of these will apply.
$75,000 if he wins SEC Coach of the Year (AP or conference).
$25,000 for a top-25 end-of-year ranking (AP, coaches or CFP).

What does new contract do for assistant coach, staff salary pool?

It’s a good day to be a Mizzou staffer. One of the most important details in Drinkwitz’s new contract is another bump in the Tigers’ assistant coaching salary pool.

The staff salary pool has been increased by $4 million and is now $16 million. That is likely to be among the top half in the SEC.

Is there NIL language in the new deal?

One of Drinkwitz’s biggest asks appeared was for continued and increased support in the NIL landscape. There is now language in his contract that reflects that the university will continue to attempt to provide the resources Drinkwitz wants to compete in the SEC.

“You will see language, when you see the full contract come out, (of) our commitment to that,” Veatch said. “Not necessarily numbers, but from from an effort standpoint, from an investment standpoint, continuing to do all the things we’re doing, and doing more to help him provide the resources that he needs to secure talent and compete.”

The language Veatch is referencing:

“The University shall continue to make consistent efforts to provide nationally-competitive resources to support the Football program, including for player retention and acquisition. For each Contract Year during the Term, the University shall equip the Program with economic resources, including funds for name, image and likeness opportunities, revenue-sharing initiatives, and/or related funding, to allow the Team to continue to compete nationally on the field and in recruiting.”

You’ll notice a lack of numbers in there. As Veatch said — and as Drinkwitz’s contract states — it’s difficult to reflect Drinkwitz’s request from a numbers-standpoint.

Notably, the contract is not defaulted if the parties disagree on how much NIL is enough NIL. From the contract:

“Recognizing the difficulty in objectively defining the foregoing University obligations, in no event shall failure to reach an agreement on any specific issue or otherwise meet any requirement (as required anywhere in this provision) constitute a default under the Agreement if both parties have used reasonable, good faith efforts to seek mutually beneficial solutions.”

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Salary, buyout, bonus details on Eli Drinkwitz’s new Missouri contract

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