After unique coaching search, Mizzou unites behind Drinkwitz

University of Missouri Director of Athletics Jim Sterk, left, poses with Eliah Drinkwitz as he accepts the position of head football coach at Mizzou on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes,Eliah Drinkwitz, the new head football coach at the University of Missouri, looks over at his wife, Lindsey, and daughters, at a press conference announcing his acceptance of the position in the Show-Me Club at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes,COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri snagged Eliah Drinkwitz’s attention when it fired football coach Barry Odom on Dec. 1. The Appalachian State coach grew up in Arkansas and still has relatives in the state, plus more family in Joplin, Mo. But his phone never rang.

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