The Tigers have locked down their defensive coordinator for the long haul
Eli Drinkwitz has quickly put his newly expanded assistants salary pool to good use.
Mizzou Football announced Thursday that defensive coordinator Corey Batoon’s contract has been extended through the 2027 season. The announcement comes six days after Drinkwitz’s own extension, which runs through 2029.
Defensive Coordinator Corey Batoon extended through 2027
: https://t.co/afFvd0xqZe#MIZ | #STP pic.twitter.com/u4KaN211zL
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) July 31, 2025
The new deal raises Batoon’s salary to $1.4 million for this season and will jump by $100,000 next year, according to reporting by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The terms also include a $100,000 bonus if he remains the defensive coordinator by February of next year.
Batoon led the Tigers to top-20 finishes in passing yards allowed, total defense and scoring defense in his first season on the job after Blake Baker’s departure for LSU.
He also helped the team acquire significant defensive talent through the portal this offseason, including the top available edge rusher in Damon Wilson from Georgia.
His first season and offseason on the job were enough to convince Drinkwitz that a new contract was needed to try and keep Batoon around long-term, and the program moved quickly to accomplish that objective.
The former South Alabama defensive coordinator now sets his sights on the 2025 season in Columbia, where this year’s defense has shown legitimate talent and depth at all position groups.
Death Row Defense looks alive and well, with the potential to be even better this year – which could draw the attention of Blue Blood programs as it did with Baker. The extension is an early move to try and keep Batoon happy, and a Tiger for the years to come.