Highlights from Eli Drinkwitz at 2024 SEC Media Days

A recap of everything important Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said Tuesday in Dallas at 2024 SEC Media Days.

Joseph Van Zummeren | Jul 16, 2024

Jan 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head football coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks at a press conference regarding Kirby Moore (not pictured) being hired as the new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach before the basketball game against the Vanderbilt Commodores Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

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Missouri Tigers

The Missouri Tigers' football season will officially kick off in 44 days but they have unofficially begun this week in Dallas. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has begun its 2024 Media Days Monday, with coaches and players from all 16 teams previewing the upcoming sesaon.

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke Tuesday afternoon, here's everything new and important from his press conference.

• On surviving a hot-seat season in 2023: "We all understand that there's expectations with this job and when you're not meeting them, obviously the noise picks up."

• On Oklahoma transfer Cayden Green: "He's got the size, toughness and instincts to be an elite player, demonstrated that capability last year on the football field."

• On offensive coordinator Kirby Moore entering his second year: "I think you just see a more comfortability of Kirby and his day to day interactions and more understanding of where we need to improve."

• On Brady Cook's growth: "I think what Brady has done is continually demonstrated a competitive spirt and a standard of excellence. He's earned the respect of everybody in our locker room, not just on the offensive side of the ball, but in every aspect of our organization... He's always got a consistent approach. I think the sky is the limit for him."

• On defensive coordinator Corey Batoon: "He'll have a few wrinkles of our own, but for us it's still going to be about stopping the run, confushing, harassing, hitting the quarterback and winning situational football... Whoever's in there calling the plays is going to have to maintain those three things within the fundamental structure that is set in place to install."

• "We have a lot left to prove to reach the level of consistency and success that we want. I understand that there's a lot of outside expectations on what our football program should be. I think for us, the most important thing is to focus on running our own race."

• Drinkwitz recognizes the loss of Cody Schrader, saying that the bigger challenge will be replacing his energy and mindset in the lockerrom rather than on the field.

• Drinkwitz begins his session by honoring the late Monte Kiffin — "his legacy on the game has impacted a lot of coaches and a lot of great players... The game of football lost a superhero this week."

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