Though Cook and Drinkwitz are heading in different directions, the two have a relationship that will remain long-lasting
Next year, Missouri football will look quite different. That’s because quarterback Brady Cook is leaving the program in pursuit of the NFL.
The news of the senior’s departure generated a mix of emotions among Cook’s fans, teammates, University of Missouri students and more. Another individual who is affected by the news is Eliah Drinkwitz.
Drinkwitz, Missouri football’s head coach, doesn’t know what the team looks like without Cook. He began coaching the Tigers in 2020, the same year Cook first donned the black and gold.
“Me and Coach Drink did come in at the same time, which I take a lot of pride in,” Cook said. “To know that we’ve been there every step of the way at Mizzou together is really cool.”
Drinkwitz joined the Tigers after coaching at Appalachian State for one season, his first as a head coach. Before, he worked as a member of various coaching staff, focusing on areas such as position groups or the offensive unit.
When Drinkwitz was promoted to head coach, the transition seemed seamless. He led the Mountaineers to a 12-1 season, capped off by a 31-17 bowl win over University of Alabama at Birmingham. The team also won the Sun Belt Conference title while ending the year in the AP Top-25 Poll.
Drinkwitz’s accomplishments at Appalachian State attracted Missouri’s attention and helped him land the job as the Tigers’ head coach. Looking to find success with a new team, Drinkwitz set off for the Show Me State. What he found there was much greater.
According to Cook, the first time Drinkwitz talked to him was about two weeks before signing day. Drinkwitz visited Cook’s high school so the two could meet and Drinkwitz was immediately impressed by the young quarterback.
“I think Brady is always eager to do the very best he can,” Drinkwitz said. “He’s always trying to be attentive, pay attention to details and do it right.”
As for Cook, he was charmed by Drinkwitz’s personality and was eager to play for him.
“We got to talk a little bit and I could just tell he was going to be a players coach,” Cook said. “I think he cracked a joke probably within the first two lines of our conversation and I knew it was going to be a fun ride with him pretty quickly.”
A fun ride is certainly what it has been, especially over the last two years. The pair saw great success at Missouri in 2023 and 2024 in particular. Drinkwitz coached the team to a 21-5 record over those past two seasons and he was named the Southeastern Conference coach of the year in 2023. Cook led the Tigers to two consecutive 10-win seasons, surpassing 2,500 passing yards both times.
Despite the Tigers’ recent triumphs, Drinkwitz and Cook faced low moments as well.
Whether it was winning over the fans, fighting for the starting job or having to play games from behind, Cook’s journey was not easy.
One challenge that was especially prevalent for Cook in 2024 was injuries. Throughout the year, Cook sustained multiple injuries, including an ankle injury against Auburn. Exiting the game to go to the hospital at Missouri’s homecoming was not ideal, but Cook persevered. After missing nearly three-quarters of game time, he returned to lead the Tigers to a dramatic victory.
“He’s been such an inspiring leader to our team,” Drinkwitz said. “[He’s] willing to make all the sacrifices, lay his body on the line for his teammates.”
Drinkwitz had to overcome adversity too, as he had to prove himself as a coach. When he first joined the Tigers, the team went 5-5. While that wasn’t bad for Drinkwitz’s first year with Missouri, it was not up to his standards. For the next two years, the team continued to go 0.500 in the regular season.
2023 was when it all changed, with the Tigers securing an 11-win season for the first time since 2014. How did the team manage to go from 6-7 in 2022 to 11-2 in 2023? Cook gives the credit to Drinkwitz.
“We came into a pretty tough situation [where] the state of the program was not great,” Cook said. “It was not a winning culture but we turned it around. He turned it around.”
Whether the moments they faced were high or low, Cook and Drinkwitz felt them together.
The two shared one final moment as player and coach when Missouri faced Iowa in the Music City Bowl in December. Cook’s final game as a Tiger resulted in a win, sending him off as a champion. Drinkwitz, however, was just a proud coach.
“It’s been a hell of a journey,” Drinkwitz said after the bowl game victory. “I’ll always be indebted to him for what he’s done for my family and what he’s done for this program.”
Missouri football will look quite different without Cook going forward, but the quarterback will be remembered by many, especially Drinkwitz, for a long time.
Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.comCopy edited by Stella Spragg and Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.comEdited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com