Mizzou football adds former defensive coordinator to staff as consultant
The Missouri Tigers have added a new defensive consultant to the coaching staff, the program announced on Thursday.
David Blackwell, a veteran of the coaching ranks, will be with the Tigers as they move into summer workouts in preparation for the 2023 season. Blackwell has prior experience at defensive coordinator and has spent time at ACC powerhouse Clemson, among his past stops.
Mizzou coach Eliah Drinkwitz, who announced the news in an athletics release, also commented on Blackwell’s hiring.
“David has coordinated and been a part of some really good defenses over the years and will provide a great sounding board for Coach Baker and our defensive staff,” said Drinkwitz. “This role is really about watching and analyzing how we’re preparing in the meeting room, on the practice field, focusing on those little details in the game plan or advance scouting that can make the difference come game day.”
Baker, of course, is Blake Baker, the Tigers’ safeties coach and defensive coordinator. He joined the program in January 2022 and will have Blackwell to assist him moving forward.
“David’s been around this game at the Division I level for 30-plus years and seen a whole lot of football,” Drinkwitz continued. “He’ll help make Mizzou football better.”
Blackwell’s most-recent defensive coordinator stint came at Louisiana Tech (2020-21). Notably, he held that position at Old Dominion in 2019, East Carolina in 2018 and USF from 2009-10, among other stops in that role.
He also spent six seasons with the Clemson Tigers, where he coached linebackers and served as recruiting coordinator. Blackwell was with Clemson from 2003-08. He also served as an assistant at Pittsburgh from 2000-02.
Last season, Missouri ranked No. 34 nationally in total yards allowed per game (340.8) and No. 56 in points allowed (25.2). The Tigers also ranked tied for 69th with 18 takeaways on the year.
The Tigers finished 2022 6-7 (3-5 SEC) with a loss in the Gasparilla Bowl.
