Another top candidate signed an extension with his current program. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz agreed to sign a new contract with the Tigers, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN.
Drinkwitz's salary increased to an average of more than $10.7 million over the contract, and the extension includes an increased commitment to staff and salary pool, as reported by Thamel.
Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz has agreed to a new contract with the school, he announced. Per ESPN sources, there’s an increase in salary for Drinkwitz to an average of more than $10.7 million over the deal and an increased commitment to staff and salary pool. pic.twitter.com/tkCPeOwKxx
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 27, 2025
Eli Drinkwitz signs contract with Missouri, killing hopes of him becoming Penn State's next head coach
Drinkwitz was a leading candidate for the Nittany Lions' open head coach job, especially given the number of impressive coaches signing extensions. Now, Drinkwitz joins Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, and Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm as candidate taken off the board due to extension signings.
Aside from a winning 2025 season with the Tigers currently sitting 7-4 before the regular season finale against Arkansas, Drinkwitz's culture instilled at Missouri is something Penn State needs moving forward. Interim head coach Terry Smith reclaimed the locker room, and maintaining that is right up Drinkwitz's alley.
Hiring Drinkwitz also would have been enticing for recruits. The Nittany Lions are currently suffering, losing former commits to incoming Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin and powerhouse schools across the Big Ten and SEC. A successful SEC coach with more resources in recruitment could rally four-stars back in.
However, Drinkwitz has more to work with in terms of staff and continue strengthening a program with the Tigers, making Penn State's resources less appealing. He has more opportunities at Mizzou than he did to start the 2025 season, which could have been an enticing pitch from athletic director Pat Kraft before the news of his contract extension.
Something the blue and white faithful would love with hiring Drinkwitz is the possibility of former Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula returning to Happy Valley.
After quarterback Drew Allar's lackluster 2025 performance before his ankle injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the season, fans couldn't help but wonder and voice if Pribula was the better fit that the Nittany Lions should have kept around. He entered the Transfer Portal before the first round of the College Football Playoff in Jan. 2025, hoping to take on a starting spot in his final two years of eligibility.
If Drinkwitz was hired at Penn State, regardless of the logistic likelihood, there was still probability that Pribula would return. Especially given the amount of love and support from fans, he would have had a massive "welcome back" and a fanbase creating an environment he can thrive in.
With Drinkwitz signing a contract with Missouri, that possibility of Pribula coming back for his final collegiate season is completely squashed.