Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz Named to Prestigious Preseason Watch List
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz was one of only 26 FBS coaches named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, the organization behind the award revealed Monday.
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Presented by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl Inc. every year, the award celebrates a head coach that leads his team to success on the gridiron, while also emphasizing "scholarship, leadership and integrity," per a press release announcing the watch list.
Over the last two years, Missouri has finished the year ranked in the top-25 and collected a combined 21-5 overall record, including an 11-5 mark in SEC play, which is tied for the third best two-year stretch in program history.
Entering his sixth season leading the Tigers' program, Drinkwitz has collected a 38-24 (.613) overall record, and he eclipsed Dan Devine's school record for wins in the first five seasons of a Mizzou head coaching tenure.
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Drinkwitz has also led MU to a 27-7 (.794) record on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, giving him the best home win percentage (minimum four seasons) in the history of the program.
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz© Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
A Missouri head coach has never won the award, but Drinkwitz was a finalist for it during the 2023 season. The award ultimately went to Florida State's Mike Norvell, and last year it was given to Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame.
The SEC had strong representation in the preseason watch list as six coaches from the conference made the cut, three of which Drinkwitz will coach off against this season.
The award honors Bobby Dodd who coached at Georgia Tech from 1931-1966, serving as head coach for 21 years of that stretch. Over that stint, he compiled a 165-64-8 record.
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Related: Mizzou Picks Up Commitment From Safety out of Georgia
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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