University of Missouri football’s head coach, Eliah Drinkwitz, announced on Saturday that Corey Batoon, a seasoned college football assistant with 32 years of coaching experience, has been appointed as the defensive coordinator for the team. Batoon, previously the defensive coordinator at South Alabama for three years, brings a wealth of expertise to the Tigers’ staff.
During his tenure with the Jaguars, Batoon’s defensive unit achieved notable success, finishing 15th nationally in total defense with 313.2 yards per game and tying for 26th with 22 takeaways. This performance would have led the Southeastern Conference in 2023. Head Coach Drinkwitz emphasized the importance of finding a leader for their defense who aligns with the team’s philosophy and has a proven track record as a coordinator.
Drinkwitz stated, “Corey has been a part of championship-level teams at every stop along his path. He’s a veteran coach who’s battle-tested and has an ability to break things down and teach the game at a high level. I’m excited to see him bring those skills and experience to fit with our defensive approach.”
Analyzing advanced statistical metrics, Batoon’s defense ranked 18th in stop rate and 30th in havoc rate in the NCAA FBS. Stop rate measures the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in punts, turnovers, or a turnover on downs. Havoc rate accounts for the percentage of defensive plays resulting in a tackle for loss, sack, force fumble, interception, or pass deflection.
Batoon’s impact on South Alabama’s defense is evident in the improvement of their total and scoring defense rankings, moving from 92nd and 53rd, respectively, when he took over in 2021 to 15th and 26th in 2023. Additionally, the Jaguars’ defense excelled in various categories, including rushing defense (19th), passing defense (28th), red zone defense (23rd), and third-down defense (27th). Notably, they held opponents to 10 points or fewer in five games during the 2023 season.
South Alabama’s success under Batoon’s guidance included a 10-3 record and a New Orleans Bowl berth in 2022, with the defense ranking fourth nationally in rush defense, allowing only 93 yards per game on the ground. Batoon expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coordinate Mizzou’s defense, highlighting Coach Drinkwitz’s energy, passion, and vision for the program. He looks forward to joining the Missouri staff, meeting the players, and contributing to the team’s upward trajectory.
