Report: Missouri set to hire South Alabama defensive coordinator Corey Batoon for same position

Missouri reportedly has its new defensive coordinator. Eli Drinkwitz is hiring South Alabama DC Corey Batoon as Missouri’s next defensive coordinator, according to a report from Pete Thamel.

Batoon will replace Blake Baker, who was hired as the LSU defensive coordinator earlier this offseason.

Corey Batoon did an excellent job with the South Alabama defense this past season. The Jaguars allowed 21 points and 312.8 yards per game in 2023. South Alabama ranked No. 21 in scoring defense nationally and No. 15 in total defense in the country.

Corey Batoon spent three seasons on staff at South Alabama. In addition to serving as defensive coordinator, he also worked with Jaguars safeties.

Prior to coming to South Alabama, Batoon was on staff at Liberty. During his one season with the Flames in 2020, Liberty finished 10-1 and ranked in the top 25 in total defense and scoring defense.

Batoon also previously spent time on staffs at Ole Miss, Florida Atlantic and Hawaii.

He is joining a Missouri program that is coming off of an 11-2 (6-2) season, which included a 14-3 win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

Missouri ranked No. 34 in total defense nationally at 336.1 yards per game and No. 25 in scoring defense at 20.8 points per game in 2023.

Greg McElroy analyzes Missouri’s chances to make College Football Playoff in 2024

Missouri was a win away from being in the College Football Playoff conversation this past season. With the playoff moving to 12 teams in 2024, the Tigers should be legit contenders next year.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy recently spoke on the Always College Football podcast about the likelihood of the Tigers being in the CFP next year.

“They bring back some of their most impactful players in Brady Cook, [and] Luther Burden at wide receiver; they have a legitimate chance to be a College Football Playoff contender this upcoming season,” McElroy said.

“Now, they have to replace some key starters on defense, which is not ideal. You have to replace [Ty’Ron] Harper, who is outstanding at linebacker, was a Butkus Award finalist. And replace Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw, two of the best corners in the SEC. They’re also gonna have to find a way to adequately replace Cody Schrader, who was one of the best running backs in the country and led the FBS with 125 yards per game. They added Marcus Carroll, who ran for over 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns from Georgia State, and they added Nate Noel from Appalachian State, who Eli Drinkwitz knows really well.”