Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
Missouri

Report: Missouri to promote interim defensive line coach to full-time role

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/03/21NickSchultz_7

After Jethro Franklin was fired as Missouri’s defensive line coach in October, Al Davis took over as interim after serving as an analyst. On Thursday, a report surfaced saying he’s in line for a promotion.

Davis is expected to take over as full-time defensive line coach, Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel reported Thursday afternoon.

Before he headed to Columbia, Davis spent 2020 as the defensive tackles coach at Illinois. He also worked at Arkansas as a graduate assistant and Hutchinson Community College as assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator. Davis was a defensive tackle at Arkansas from 2009-12 before jumping into coaching.

Missouri went 6-6 this season to become bowl eligible. The Tigers are coming off a 34-17 loss to Arkansas to close the season and are getting ready to find out what bowl game they’ll play in.

Report: SMU hiring Missouri TE coach Casey Woods as offensive coordinator

It’s not all good news for Missouri, though. The Tigers are also reportedly losing a coach.

The SMU Mustangs moved quickly to make their offensive coordinator hire this week, landing on Missouri tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Casey Woods. Yahoo’s Pete Thamel was first to report the move, which has also been confirmed by reporters in Columbia.

Woods has worked with new Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee in the past, at both Auburn and Arkansas State.

Casey Woods joined Eli Drinkwitz’ staff at Missouri for the 2020 season. For his recruiting work, he earned Rivals’ recruiter of the year award in his first year.

Prior to Missouri, Woods spend three seasons with the tight ends at UAB, while also serving as run-game coordinator. His first assistant job was at Arkansas State in 2012 after completing a stint as a quality control coach at Auburn. After Arkansas State, Woods returned to Auburn as Director of Player Personnel.

Woods is a former Tennessee Vol and a Starkville, Mississippi native. He played in 41 games for the Vols from 2003-07 as a wide receiver and holder, and he served as a team captain during his senior year in 2007.