COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz is in the market for a new defensive coordinator. That’s because Ryan Walters is headed to Illinois to take on the same position under new head coach Bret Bielema, multiple sources confirmed Wednesday. FootballScoop.com first reported the news, citing an anonymous source.
Reached on Wednesday, Walters did not confirm he had accepted the job but indicated via text message he was leaving Mizzou. Illinois had not announced the hiring as of Wednesday, though some Mizzou players reacted on social media after they were told about Walters’ departure —including linebacker Devin Nicholson and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.