Missouri's Drinkwitz: 'I'm not a candidate' for Florida State job

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  Alex ScarboroughNov 3, 2026, 03:05 PM ET

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  • Covers the SEC.
  • Joined ESPN in 2012.
  • Graduate of Auburn University.

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Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz used his opening statement during a Tuesday news conference to clear the air regarding speculation that he could replace Mike Norvell, who was fired by Florida State earlier in the week.

"I'm not a candidate at Florida State," Drinkwitz told reporters. "I want to clear that up. Let's focus on the main thing, which is Texas, and eliminate all the distractions and clear the clutter from that standpoint for my team and for everybody out there."

Multiple media reports included Drinkwitz among the top candidates at FSU. That comes despite Drinkwitz signing a new six-year contract worth $10.75 million annually less than a year ago.

Drinkwitz is in his seventh season leading the Tigers. He has an overall record of 52-31.

Missouri is 6-2 this season, fifth in the SEC, and ranked 19th in the latest Associated Press poll ahead of Saturday's game at home against No. 10 Texas.

During an interview with the "Brandon Walker College Football Show" on Monday, Drinkwitz took issue with his name continually cropping up on coaching candidate lists.

"It's recognition for the job that we've done," he said. "But you've got to take it all with a grain of salt because at the end of the day, anyone can get on Twitter and throw out names. What they like to do is -- in all honesty, what they're trying to do is take a shot at Mizzou. And that's the thing that bothers me the most. You're really just saying that you think that job is better than the job I currently have at Mizzou."