Missouri Tigers football
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| Missouri Tigers football | |
|---|---|
| Teamname | Missouri Tigers football |
| Currentseason | 2025 Missouri Tigers football team |
| Athleticdirector | Desiree Reed-Francois |
| Headcoach | Eli Drinkwitz |
| Stadium | Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium |
| Stadcapacity | 62,621 |
| Stadopened | 1926 |
| Location | Columbia, Missouri |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Division | Eastern Division |
| Firstseason | 1890 |
| Websitename | mutigers.com |
| Websiteurl | mutigers.com/sports/football |
Missouri Tigers football is the intercollegiate football program representing the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I FBS as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the program traces its origins to the 19th century and has produced conference championships, bowl appearances, and numerous professional players. Missouri's program has been shaped by landmark seasons, conference realignment, and high-profile coaches who have left legacies in college football history.
History
Missouri played its first varsity season in 1890 under coach E. H. Steger and quickly developed regional rivalries with institutions such as University of Kansas and Iowa State University. The program rose to national prominence under coaches like Don Faurot, who developed the Split-T formation and for whom Faurot Field is named, and Dan Devine, who led the Tigers to the 1960s era successes and later coached the Green Bay Packers. In the 1990s and 2000s, coaches such as Larry Smith, Gary Pinkel, and Gerry DiNardo guided Missouri through Big Eight Conference and Big 12 Conference eras, with Pinkel orchestrating a modern resurgence including multiple Bowl Championship Series era bowl games and top-10 rankings. Conference realignment saw Missouri depart the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, joining peers like University of Alabama and University of Florida in the powerhouse conference; this move reshaped recruiting battles and scheduling against programs such as University of Georgia and University of Tennessee. Recent decades have featured coaching turns by Barry Odom and Eli Drinkwitz, continued emphasis on recruiting in the Midwest, and producing NFL talent like Brad Smith, Jeremy Maclin, and Dorial Green-Beckham.
Stadium and Facilities
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, opened in 1926 and renovated multiple times, serves as the Tigers' home venue and is situated on the University of Missouri campus. The stadium complex includes the Schaefer Center, the Anderson Training Complex, and practice fields adjacent to facilities used by programs such as Mizzou Athletics baseball and Mizzou Athletics basketball. Upgrades in the 21st century added modern locker rooms, the Taylor Family Digital Studio, and strength and conditioning centers comparable to those at University of Oklahoma and Louisiana State University. The program trains at facilities that attract recruits from states like Texas, Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas, and hosts campus events tied to the annual Homecoming celebration.
Head Coaches and Coaching Staff
Notable head coaches include Don Faurot, whose innovations influenced college football formations and who coached for decades at Missouri; Dan Devine, later a professional coach; and Gary Pinkel, the winningest coach in school history who guided the program through the transition to the SEC. Recent head coaches have included Gerry DiNardo, Larry Smith, Chris Kissell (interim), Barry Odom, and Eli Drinkwitz, who led Missouri into the mid-2020s. The staff often features coordinators and assistants who go on to roles at programs like Clemson University, Ohio State University, University of Michigan, and NFL franchises such as the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals (historical ties through coaching trees).
Rivalries and Notable Games
Missouri's longstanding rivalry with University of Kansas—the Border War—dates to the 19th century and features memorable contests often played for the Tiger–Jayhawk Victory Bell and later the Border Showdown trophies. In the Big 12 era, heated games against University of Oklahoma and University of Texas at Austin produced high-profile matchups; SEC membership added annual contests with eastern rivals like University of Tennessee and series against programs such as University of South Carolina and University of Arkansas. Notable games include upset victories over top-ranked opponents like University of Oklahoma in 2007, bowl game triumphs in events including the Cotton Bowl Classic and Fiesta Bowl, and the 2013 upset of Georgia that marked early SEC competitiveness.
Season-by-Season Performance and Records
Missouri fields seasons with records spanning undefeated campaigns in early decades to modern double-digit win seasons under Gary Pinkel in the 2000s. The Tigers have won conference titles in the Big Six Conference, Big Seven Conference, Big Eight Conference, and Big 12 Conference eras, and have produced ranked seasons in the Associated Press poll and Coaches Poll. Missouri's bowl history includes appearances in the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl Classic, and Liberty Bowl, with numerous victories recorded. Statistical leaders across seasons include passers, rushers, and receivers who set school marks and later pursued careers with NFL teams like the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Traditions and Culture
Mizzou traditions include the "MIZ-ZOU" chant, the Tiger Walk through Faurot Field's gates, and Homecoming rituals that involve campus alumni and organizations like the Missouri Student Association. The program's marching band, the Marching Mizzou, performs at halftime and is linked to campus celebrations alongside groups such as the University of Missouri School of Music. Tailgating culture in Columbia draws fans from nearby cities including Jefferson City and Saint Louis, while mascot performances feature Truman the Tiger, named after Harry S. Truman, a Missouri native. Annual awards such as team MVP honors and the recognition of Academic All-Americans connect the program to institutions like the NCAA and College Football Hall of Fame.
NFL Draft Picks and Notable Alumni
Missouri alumni drafted into the NFL include first-round picks like Brad Smith and Jeremy Maclin, and Pro Bowl players such as Kony Ealy and Sean Weatherspoon. The program's NFL alumni have played for franchises including the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots, with graduates also contributing as coaches and executives in organizations like the National Football League Players Association. Notable non-player alumni connected to the program's history include administrators and broadcasters who moved to roles at institutions such as ESPN and Big Ten Network.