Less than a month after D.J. Smith left his role as Mizzou’s linebackers coach to become defensive coordinator at Appalachian State, Eli Drinkwitz has found a replacement.
According to multiple reports, Mizzou has hired Derek Nicholson, the former linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at Miami (FL), to take over for Smith.
Nicholson spent the last two seasons with the Hurricanes, earning the title of co-defensive coordinator prior to the 2024 season. A North Carolina native, Nicholson played for Florida State from 2006-2008, leading the team in tackles in both 2007 and 2008. His standout 2008 season featured 15 tackles for loss and two fumble return touchdowns.
Although he attracted interest from the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks after college, his professional career didn’t materialize, leading him to coach at the high school level in North Carolina.
Nicholson began his college coaching career in 2013 as Akron’s linebackers coach, and later worked at Louisville, Alcorn State, and Southern Mississippi, where he coached linebackers and the defensive line before becoming co-defensive coordinator in 2018. In 2020, he returned to Louisville as linebackers coach for three seasons before moving to Miami.
Although Mizzou has not yet officially confirmed the hire, this addition would fill the final vacancy on the defensive coaching staff, as Smith was the only member of the 2024 staff to leave the program.
