Mizzou Minute: Breaking Down the Tigers New Defensive Coordinator

What does the hiring of Corey Batoon mean for the Tigers' defense in 2024?

The Missouri Tigers are expected to hire the now former South Alabama defensive coordinator, Corey Batoon, to take the same position in Columbia. 

With the departure of Blake Baker to LSU earlier this month, Eli Drinkwitz moved quickly in finding his replacement.

Batoon has served as both a coordinator and positional coach at stops all across the nation, including Hawaii, Liberty, Florida Atlantic and more. 

In his three year stint with the Jaguars in Mobile, Batoon's defensive units finished among the top thirty in the nation, even reaching as high as fifteenth in his final season, 2023. 

Taking a look at what the hire could mean for the Tigers, Batoon is an experienced defensive mind who inherits arguably the most talented group he'e ever coached in Missouri. 

The Tigers have been active in the transfer portal this offseason, landing players like former 4-stars Darris Smith from Georgia and Toriano Pride, Jr. from Clemson. Not to mention, returning talent like Joseph Charleston and Chuck Smith who were both among the team's top tacklers in 2023. 

Finally, Drinkwitz and staff have recruited at a high level this offseason as well, landing 5-star edge rusher Williams Nwaneri and 4-star defensive lineman Jaylen Brown. 

Coming off of one of the program's best seasons in its history, expectations are high for Missouri in 2024, and the Tigers look to be building a team to meet them. 

Mizzou Set to Hire Corey Batoon as New Defensive Coordinator