It's a bit scary to admit that they year 2030 is just a few short years away, and even scarier to think what college football might look like then. For Missouri, they're in a fairly stable spot with Eli Drinkwitz, and figure to be involved in a mid-tier bowl most every year. But obviously nothing is guaranteed, so will Drinkwitz still be here in four years, either for good or for bad?
The Athletic made thier best attempt at predicting the Power Four school's coaches in 2030, and not only is Drinkwitz not at Mizzou, be he's also at an SEC rival.
We'll get to Missouri in a second, but The Athletic moved Drinkwitz over to Oklahoma by the year 2030, moving him across the border. They seem to think that maybe he should've already been there, saying "Timing is everything in life. If there had been as much coaching movement in 2024 (after Drinkwitz knocked out a second-straight double-digit victory season at Mizzou), maybe he would already be in a new gig."
It's certainly fair to say the Drinkwitz deserved to be talked about for top jobs, but also he seems very content at Missouri, and until the wins or the money stop, he'll get to stay as long as he wants. That is, of course, until Oklahoma apparently poaches him.
Is there an upgrade over Eli Drinkwitz out there for Mizzou?
So if not Drinkwitz in 2030, then who? The Athletics tabs current LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker for the job. Baker is a former Mizzou safeties coach who then was promoted to DC. In the article they mention it would be a nice fit for Baker after he's helped Lane Kiffin reach a few playoffs.
It's not the worst hire in this fictional timeline, as Baker is a promising coach and is already the highest-paid assistant of all time at LSU. If Drinkwitz moves on to greener pastures, the Tigers probably couldn't pass on the opportunity to bring back their former coordinator.
While the predictions aren't too outlandish, the ideal scenario is to keep building with Drinkwitz, who has shown that with the right funding and the right staff, he can bring Mizzou towards the top of the SEC.