Eli Drinkwitz’s staff is filling up

It felt like we waited a while to get some news on the defensive coordinator front. I guess Eli Drinkwitz knew we were all a little starved for news of any sort... because on Sunday, he tripled the hiring fun.

Just two days after announcing Steve Wilks as the new defensive coordinator, reports surfaced that Drink had also found his man to replace Brick Haley as the defensive line coach.

Franklin, like Wilks, is a longtime NFL stalwart, coaching defensive lines in Oakland, Tampa Bay, Green Bay and a few other places, including several Power Five schools. Notably, he coached Khalil Mack in their shared time with the Raiders.

In addition to Franklin, Eli Drinkwitz is also adding another new member to his staff.

It’s unclear how Russell will fit into the staff, especially considering Zac Woodfin is still around as the Director of Athletic Performance. Maybe there’s a crucial difference between the two that I’m missing? If so, please relay in the comments.

Oh, and one more thing before we forget — a new Offensive Graduate Assistant is also coming aboard. Matt Linehan, son of former St. Louis Rams’ coach Scott Linehan, announced his arrival at Mizzou yesterday.

Linehan was the starting QB for Idaho University from 2014-2017.

Yesterday at Rock M

• Study Hall: Mizzou 73, Tennessee 64
• Report: Mizzou hiring Jethro Franklin to coach defensive line

More Links:

• The Super Bowl is set, and I’m sure Kansas City folk are all very happy. But Mizzou fans should be too, at least in a small way. With the Chiefs vs. Buccaneers match up, a #MizzouMade player is bound to get a ring one way or the other — Blaine Gabbert with the Bucs or Yasir Durant with the Chiefs.
• Robin Pingeton’s Tigers feel like they’re on the cusp of a major breakout this season, but can never seem to get over the hump. The Tigers fell just short once again, coming within 5 points of a Top 10 upset at home.

• Kevin Graeler at the Columbia Tribune argues that, in its latest run of wins, Mizzou is raising its ceiling for the 2020-2021 season. Also for the Tribune, Eric Blum detailed five takeaways from the win in Knoxville.
• CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 poll moved Mizzou Hoops up 10 spots — all the way to No. 13 — after its road win over Tennessee. Oh, I suppose it’s worth mentioning that one school to the west is below us now...
• Jeff Goodman also moved the Tigers up after the Tennessee win, even higher than his colleagues at CBS.

• For the benefit of subscribers, Sean Williams at PowerMizzou spoke with 2022 football commit Mekhi Miller about his decision to commit to the Tigers.
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