Missouri hires Charlie Harbison as Associate Head Coach to Eli Drinkwitz

During his introductory press conference, Coach Eli Drinkwitz said he would be prioritizing the 2020 recruiting class in his first few days on the job. He also added that a few coaching hires would likely trickle down the news wire. The first came yesterday, when it was reported that Erik Link will follow Drinkwitz as the Tigers’ new special teams coordinator. The university has not yet announced this hiring.

Today, Missouri announced the first official hiring to Drinkwitz’s new staff.

Harbison comes to Missouri from Appalachian State, where he was the Associate Head Coach and Cornerbacks Coach for Drinkwitz during the 2019 season.

Harbison brings quite a resume along with him, having coached at LSU, Clemson, Mississippi State and Alabama (twice.) He was also named one of the Top 25 recruiters in the country by Rivals in 2005 and 2010.

Harbison’s background is mainly in coaching cornerbacks and safeties, and the initial press release simply lists his position as, “Associate Head Coach/Defense.” David Gibbs, Missouri’s secondary coach from last season, has been out on the road recruiting, hinting that he might be retained. Harbison’s hiring casts some intrigue on how the rest of the defensive staff will shake out.

Welcome, Coach Harbison! M-I-Z