10 possible candidates for Mizzou defensive coordinator
Eric Blum
Columbia Daily Tribune
Missouri football is looking to replace one of its cornerstone coaching positions.
Ryan Walters will depart Columbia as the Tigers' defensive coordinator to take the same position under Bret Bielema at Illinois.
This will be the fourth coordinator or head coaching hire for Missouri since 2017, with Walters himself being promoted from within, Derek Dooley joining Missouri's staff in 2018 and Eli Drinkwitz being named head coach after the 2019 season.
The question now facing Drinkwitz: Who will replace Walters?
Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason would have been near the top of the following list of possible candidates, but multiple reports indicate Mason will become Auburn's new defensive coordinator under Bryan Harsin.
Here are 10 names to keep an eye on for Missouri's next defensive coordinator:
Will Muschamp
Credentials: South Carolina head coach (2016-20), Auburn defensive coordinator (2015; 2006-07), Florida head coach (2011-14), Texas defensive coordinator (2008-10), LSU defensive coordinator (2002-04)
Eric's take: This would be an elite hire for Drinkwitz. While Muschamp's stint coaching the Gamecocks ended with his firing and didn't inspire many in The Palmetto State, having the veteran coach as a chief advisor would be invaluable. His experience in the Southeastern Conference would fill a huge void with Walters' departure.
Kevin Steele
Credentials: Auburn interim head coach (2020), Auburn defensive coordinator (2016-20), LSU defensive coordinator (2015), Clemson defensive coordinator (2009-11), Alabama defensive coordinator (2007), Baylor head coach (1999-2002)
Eric's take: Want a candidate who was a defensive coordinator in the SEC last season and has 16 years' experience in the league? Steele's your guy. Like Muschamp, Steele is currently without a job after Mason's hiring on The Plains. Steele worked the past five years as the right-hand man to Gus Malzahn, one of Drinkwitz's coaching mentors.
Credentials: Missouri cornerbacks coach (2019-present), Texas Tech defensive coordinator (2015-18), Houston defensive coordinator (2013-14), Houston Texans defensive backs coach (2009-10), Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach (2006-08)
Eric's take: If there's an internal hire at Missouri, it would be Gibbs. Gibbs replaced Walters as the leader of Missouri's defense when Walters was in quarantine for the Tigers' 17-10 win at South Carolina on Nov. 21. Gibbs has an understanding of where Drinkwitz wants the defense to be and already has relationships with Tiger players.
Ted Roof
Credentials: Vanderbilt defensive coordinator (2020), Appalachian State defensive coordinator (2019), North Carolina State associate head coach (2018), Georgia Tech defensive coordinator (2013-17), Auburn defensive coordinator (2009-11), Duke head coach (2004-07)
Eric's take: There's a clear connection to Drinkwitz, as Roof has worked with him at three stops of his career, including the last two before Missouri. Roof is experienced, having consistently coached college football since 1987. He's out of a job after Mason was fired at Vanderbilt. Roof hardly is to blame for the Commodores' struggles.
Marcel Yates
Credentials: California defensive backs coach (2020-present), Arizona defensive coordinator (2016-19), Boise State defensive coordinator (2014-15), Texas A&M co-defensive coordinator (2012-13), Boise State assistant coach (2003-11)
Eric's take: For two years at Boise State, Drinkwitz ran the offense while Yates ran the defense. That combination led to a Mountain West Conference title, an 11-win season and a Fiesta Bowl victory. Why wouldn't Yates jump at another tag-team opportunity? He's got experience in the SEC and has been a coach in the FBS for nearly 20 years.
Tommy Thigpen
Credentials: North Carolina co-defensive coordinator (2019-present), North Carolina linebackers coach (2005-08; 2018), Tennessee linebackers coach (2013-17), Auburn defensive assistant coach (2009-12), Illinois defensive assistant coach (2003-04)
Eric's take: Thigpen is the only person on this list to never have held a sole defensive coordinator position. That's likely the only box he doesn't check. He's got plenty of experience, a history of helping turn around defenses, previous SEC coaching ties and a relationship with Drinkwitz. Both also happen to be Arkansas natives.
Scott Symons
Credentials: Liberty defensive coordinator (2019-present), Memphis inside linebackers coach (2018), West Georgia defensive coordinator (2014-17), Arkansas Tech defensive coordinator (2013), Arkansas State quality control coach (2012)
Eric's take: If Drinkwitz wants a young, up-and-coming coach, there may not be many better options in terms of potential than Symons. Symons has Missouri connections, having played at Division II Lindenwood and coached at St. Dominic High School. Symons is the only coach on this list who has yet to be on a Power Five staff.
Credentials: Iowa defensive coordinator (2012-present), Iowa defensive backs coach (1999-2011), Toledo defensive backs coach (1988-98)
Eric's take: If Walters leaves to go to a flagship school of a bordering state, why not hire an experienced defensive coordinator from another? Parker has plenty of ties to the Midwest and could help in recruiting. He's likely loyal to Kirk Ferentz, having been brought to Iowa City by him in 1999, but MU would increase his $595,000 salary. Parker's connection to Columbia could go through Gary Pinkel, who was at the Rockets' helm for nearly Parker's entire stay at the school.
Chad Staggs
Credentials: Coastal Carolina defensive coordinator (2019-present), Furman defensive coordinator (2017-18), Charleston Southern defensive coordinator (2013-16), South Carolina graduate assistant (2003-07)
Eric's take: Staggs is another up-and-coming coach and would be hired much of the same methodology that brought Drinkwitz to Columbia. He's the defensive coordinator for one of the best Group of Five programs and likely wouldn't pass up a chance to coach at an SEC school. He has no clear connection to MU or Drinkwitz, however.
Pete Kwiatkowski
Credentials: Washington defensive coordinator (2020-present; 2014-17), Washington co-defensive coordinator (2018-19), Boise State defensive coordinator (2010-13), Boise State assistant defensive coach (2006-09; 1988-96)
Eric's take: After one highly valued, young coach leaves, why not bring in a defensive mind with a connection to another Tigers coach? Kwiatkowski was on the Huskies' staff alongside Missouri quarterbacks and wide receivers coach Bush Hamdan and has been in the same circles as Drinkwitz after Kwiatkowski's long career at Boise State.
eblum@columbiatribune.com
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