What’s Eliah Drinkwitz’s Buyout if Fired By Missouri?

In five years, Eliah Drinkwitz went from an unknown Group of Five tight ends coach to a Power Five head coach with a six-year, $24-million contract. Unfortunately for the 39-year-old former Gus Malzahn assistant, he might not be a Power Five head coach much longer.

Now in his third season as Missouri head coach, Drinkwitz is still seeking big-time wins – and nearly got one against Georgia in Week 5 – and is potentially on the college football hot seat.

What is Eliah Drinkwitz’s Contract?

Eliah Drinkwitz signed the six-year, $24-million term sheet on Dec. 8, 2019.

The contract, not signed until May 18, 2021, actually runs through Jan. 15, 2026, but for all intents and purposes is a six-year deal.

His annual base salary is only $400,000, but he has $3.5 million in additional “non-salary compensation,” an amount equal to the sum of four different $887,500 annual payments.

Drinkwitz hasn’t signed an extension or received a raise since arriving from App State three years ago.

What is Eliah Drinkwitz’s Buyout?

If fired without cause before his contract expires on Jan. 15, 2026, Drinkwitz is due a buyout equal to 70% of the remaining value of his contract.

If fired, for example, immediately after the 2022 regular season, the buyout would be approximately $9 million.

Fifty percent of a buyout is due within 30 days of termination. And remaining 50% is due as equal monthly installments through the remainder of the contract, i.e., Jan. 15, 2026.