There’s a lot going on in Mizzou-land, but for everything that’s happening it’s mostly happening behind the scenes. However, Eli Drinkwitz is getting closer to having his full staff in place.

Welcome Linebackers Coach D.J. Smith

Smith joins the previously announced Eric Link (who is coaching Special Teams) and Associate Head Coach Charlie Harbison as the new blood, and according to PowerMizzou’s Mitchell Forde, Brick Haley, David Gibbs, and Ryan Walters as the returners. Casey Woods hasn’t been officially announced, but Casey Woods will be the Tight Ends Coach according to Forde.

It’ll be interesting to see who coaches what, as Harbison traditionally worked with the defensive line, the same as Haley. Gibbs was the defensive backs coach, Walters was the defensive coordinator but hasn’t been named to that position for Drinkwitz, while he coached safeties prior. It certainly isn’t a given that all three (Gibbs, Haley, Walters) return to Missouri next year, but they all appear to be out on the road recruiting, and they’re still listed on the online roster.

It would make some sense for Drinkwitz to bring back Walters as Defensive Coordinator, since the defense was quite good last year. But Harbison’s history suggests he’s most comfortable coaching defensive backs, which Walters and Gibbs coaches this past year. If Haley coaches the defensive line, and Smith coaches linebackers, Walters would almost have to be the coordinator.

Either way, welcomes to Smith, Harbinson, and Link.

Speaking of Coordinators... Barry Odom found a job

New Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman announced it on Paul Finebaum:

The funny thing about twitter is it can be awfully smart-alecky, for good and bad. People will say things for likes, but their point will end up lacking a lot of substance. Basically, anyone poking fun at Arkansas for hiring Barry Odom to run their defense.

Let’s get one things straight here... Barry Odom is a terrific defensive coach. It’s been covered, ad nauseam, here and other outlets on just how good. As a defensive coordinator, Odom is elite. Sure he struggled to put it all together as a head coach, but the defense wasn’t a problem. Odom’s first defense at Missouri was rated 85th in SP+, then 61st, then 25th, and 18th this past year.

According to Steven Godfrey, coaches throughout College Football would jump at the chance to hire Odom. And him going to a team Missouri has to play every year isn’t a good thing (any potential grudges aside).

Now the reality is Arkansas is a full rebuild. While the job in Columbia is less so. There’s work to be done here, for sure. But I’m not sure what Arkansas does well, but defense wasn’t it. They were 87th in defense, so basically as bad as Missouri’s defense was Odoms first year. We’ll be able to see — up close and personal — just how quickly he can help get that thing turned around. I’m skeptical the Arkansas fans, and brass, will have the patience to let Pittman turn it all around. But I’d expect some steady growth from the defense in a hurry.

Yesterday at Rock M

• Tim Bussen continued his look at the Drinkwitz Offense with Film Room: An Introduction to Drinkwitz’s Offense, Part Two. Honestly if you aren’t reading Bussen Film Room Series you’re missing out on some great information and a whole lotta knowledge.
• Our Football writers went around the table to talk about the new coach with: Rock M Roundtable: Evaluating the Eli Drinkwitz hiring
• Ryan Herrera went to Mizzou Hoops Media day and came out with some takeaways: Missouri moves out of finals week, into last stretch of non-conference play
• Karen had so many links yesterday, I’m honestly not entirely sure how she has the time and energy to acquire everything. Don’t expect as much from me. Sorry... but check out her efforts from yesterday: On the 13th day of December, the Mizzou Tigers gave to me — a bunch of new hires wrapped in a big ol’ black & gold bow

More:

• It’s a big Recruiting weekend for the Football program as Coach Drink will host MOST of the current class. PowerMizzou has the full official list behind a paywall, but we can say based upon the tweets that Brady Cook, Jay Maclin, Harrison Mevis, Will Norris, Jaylon Carlies, and maybe the most important on the list, Elijah Young are all going to be on campus. With most of the class very likely to be in attendance.

• Dave Matter had a nice wrap up on Drinkwitz and his approach to recruiting, including where he’s been over the last few days.
• If reading Joe Walljasper is your thing (and really why wouldn’t it be?) then here’s your 74th edition of What Just Happened?
• Have you heard about this Drew Lock kid? He used to be a Quarterback for the Missouri Tigers, now he’s doing the same for the Denver Broncos. He’s pretty good:

• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now! (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)