Corey Batoon hired as Mizzou defensive coordinator, ending three-week search

South Alabama held opponents to 21.9 points per game last season under defensive coordinator Corey Batoon, who now is headed to Missouri.Missouri has hired Corey Batoon as its next defensive coordinator, ending a three-week search following the surprise departure of Blake Baker shortly after the end of last season.

Batoon, 55, joins MU after spending the past three seasons at South Alabama, where he was defensive coordinator and safeties coach. The university announced Batoon’s hiring Saturday afternoon.

“Our intent from the start of this search was to identify a leader for our death row defense who has proven success as a coordinator, and equally as important, is aligned with the philosophy…