Eli Drinkwitz enters his seventh season at Missouri following an 8-5 campaign in 2025. Chip Lindsey takes over as offensive coordinator after previously holding the same position at Michigan, while Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons takes over at quarterback. Ahmad Hardy returns after averaging 123 rushing yards per game last season. Hardy suffered a gunshot wound at a concert in May but has since been medically cleared to resume football activities. Jamal Roberts also returns after averaging 58 rushing yards per game. Missouri must replace leading receiver Kevin Coleman following his departure for the NFL. Donovan Olugbode and Brett Norfleet return, while Ole Miss transfer Cayden Lee and Cincinnati transfer Caleb Goodie join the receiving corps. The offensive line returns three full-time starters in Cayden Green, Dominick Giudice, and Curtis Peagler, who made 11, 13, and 13 starts, respectively. Mississippi State transfer Zack Owens joins the group after making 10 starts last season.
Corey Batoon enters his third season as defensive coordinator with Missouri returning just two of its top eleven tacklers from last season. Linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez and safety Santana Banner are the only returning players from that group after finishing second and third on the team in tackles, respectively, although they combined for just four starts in 2025. Auburn transfer linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. joins Rodriguez after making 11 starts last season. Along the defensive front, Marquis Gracial returns after making six starts, while Jalen Marshall and Darris Smith also return and Florida State transfer Jaden Jones joins the group. In the secondary, Chris Graves Jr. joins Banner after making nine starts last season, while Jahlil Florence provides another transfer addition.
John Papuchis takes over as special teams coordinator after previously coaching at Florida State. Blake Craig returns at placekicker after missing nearly all of last season with a torn ACL and is fully healthy entering 2026. Florida State transfer Brunno Reus joins the program to handle punting and kickoffs, while Tennessee State transfer Mark Shenouda provides another option at punter. DaMarion Fowlkes returns with experience in the return game. Missouri enters 2026 with considerable experience along the offensive line but significant defensive turnover, with only two of last season’s top eleven tacklers returning.