COLUMBIA, Mo. — Defensive coordinator? Check. Defensive ends coach? Check that off too.
Missouri rounded out its coaching staff Friday with the hire of Brian Early, who will coach defensive ends as an assistant. The Tigers’ staff now is complete following the departures of two defensive coaches.
Early arrives from Houston, where he was the Cougars’ defensive line coach for five seasons. He has made previously coaching stops at Arkansas State, Arkansas, Central Arkansas and Minnesota State-Mankato.
He has consistently produced high-end pass rushers across his three decades of coaching experience, including four NFL draft picks. For three consecutive years, the Sun Belt Conference’s defensive players of the year were coached by Early.
“Brian’s a coach that’s been on our radar for a while now,†MU head coach Eli Drinkwitz said in a statement. “We love his energy and passion for the game, and his commitment to being an elite student of the game to give his players every advantage. The numbers don’t lie and whether it’s been at Houston or Arkansas State, Brian’s guys are technically sound, know how to rush the passer and have been highly productive in the sack and tackle for loss categories.â€
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At Houston, Early also specialized in recruiting junior colleges, where he scouted and signed the likes of now-Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell.
Early will pair with Al Davis in coaching Mizzou’s defensive line — Davis coaches interior lineman. Once he arrives on campus, Early will begin working with five-star recruit Williams Nwaneri, who’s the nation’s top defensive prospect.
“What Coach Drinkwitz and the Missouri football program are building makes this opportunity so appealing,†Early said in a statement. “All you have to do is turn on the tape from the Cotton Bowl and see the competitive fire of this team. ‘Something To Prove’ isn’t just a catch phrase at all, it’s a lifestyle and the type of thinking I’ve embraced throughout my coaching career. I can’t thank Coach Drinkwitz enough for allowing me this opportunity and I’m excited to cut it loose with our edge rushers!â€
He’s not the first assistant MU coach Eli Drinkwitz has pried away from Houston. Offensive line coach Brandon Jones, who has received plaudits for his work in turning around that position group in a short time frame, also left the Cougars for Missouri.
Early replaces Kevin Peoples, who was a Broyles Award semifinalist at Mizzou before leaving alongside former defensive coordinator Blake Baker to take the same position at Louisiana State. MU hired South Alabama’s Corey Batoon to take Baker’s spot as defensive coordinator and safeties coach. DJ Smith will continue to coach linebackers while Al Pogue remains the cornerbacks coach.