Eli Drinkwitz is facing his sixth year as the head coach of the Missouri Tigers, and so far, he has done just about everything right. At his most recent SEC Media Days, Drinkwitz was upbeat and personable, just like usual, with optimism about the upcoming season.
The highlight of his opening remarks on Thursday wasn't actually about his players or their upcoming schedule. It was actually a joke about another head coach, whom he has yet to face in SEC play and won't see this year: Texas's Steve Sarkisian.
Earlier in the week, Sarkisian walked up to the podium to the sound of the incorrect fight song. Making matters worse, it was Texas A&M's Aggie War Hymn.
While at the podium on Thursday, Drinkwitz quickly got his ingenious dig in at Sark, "At least we have the right fight song going. That’s an improvement."
Drinkwitz is undeniably one of the most likable coaches in the conference, due in large part to his wittiness and sense of humor. The joke about the Texas Longhorns' head coach was just the latest example of why the Tigers' leader is so personable.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz pulls out his wittiness at SEC Media Days early on.
— All SEC Football (@All_SECFB) July 17, 2025
“At least we have the right fight song going. That’s an improvement.” pic.twitter.com/G0hKUdd9sA
The two teams have yet to face each other since Texas joined the SEC in 2024, and as of right now, they aren't scheduled to play each other in the foreseeable future (through 2026, at least). However, the programs have a deep-seated history, dating back to when the Tigers and the Horns were both in the Big 12.
Texas Longhorns vs. Missouri Tigers football history
Currently, Texas holds a 17-6 record over Missouri's head, including a win in the most recent matchup, which was a 33-16 victory in the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl game.
For now, Drinkwitz and Sarkisian will have to wait to see who gets the last laugh, but currently, the Tigers' head coach certainly has a head start.