Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz shoots down Florida State rumors

It has been two days since Florida State fired head coach Mike Norvell.

Norvell was in his seventh season with the Seminoles and was no longer getting results. Saturday’s 36-24 loss against Clemson was the nail in the coffin for his tenure, and FSU made the change on Sunday. Former Florida State quarterback Rick Stockstill is the interim head coach.

MORE: Florida State fires Mike Norvell after Saturday’s Clemson loss

Norvell finished his tenure with a 41-39 record, but he won only 10 games over the past three seasons, including 2026.

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz has already been linked to FSU, but he wants everyone to know he’s not interested.

“I’m not a candidate at Florida State. I want to clear that up,” Drinkwitz said on Tuesday, per SEC Mike on X. “Let’s focus on the main thing, which is Texas, and let’s eliminate all the distractions and clutter from that standpoint.”

Eli Drinkwitz opens up his Texas presser by addressing Florida State job speculation:
"I'm not a candidate at Florida State.
"I want to clear that up.
"Let's focus on the main thing, which is Texas, and let's eliminate all the distractions and clutter from that standpoint." pic.twitter.com/pdWm6sZ8Ma

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 3, 2026

Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri tenure so far

Drinkwitz is in his seventh season as Missouri’s head coach and has a 52-31 overall record. His best season came in 2023, when he led the Tigers to an 11-2 record and a win in the Cotton Bowl.

He has led the No. 19 Tigers to a 6-2 start to the 2026 season and is getting his team prepped for a huge home showdown against No. 10 Texas on Saturday. A win would keep the Tigers in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot.

Kickoff is set for noon ET on ESPN.

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