In the ever-changing world of college athletics, loyalty isn’t what it used to be. The University of Missouri’s six-year, $64.5 million contract extension for Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz is a pretty clear example of how loyalty now comes with a price tag—and a lot of paperwork.
College sports have shifted. Players and coaches are navigating a marketplace full of NIL deals, the transfer portal, and eye-popping coaching contracts. It’s honestly a bit dizzying to keep up with how loyalty has turned into a business expense.
The Financialization of Loyalty in College Athletics
At the heart of all this is the way loyalty has become financial. When Mizzou locked in Drinkwitz for six more years, it wasn’t just a pat on the back for a job well done. It was a bet on stability in a sport where chaos is always lurking.
One bad quarter and a coach could be out. The transfer portal keeps rosters in constant motion. In that kind of environment, an eight-figure salary isn’t just a reward—it’s a way to hold onto your guy.
Loyalty, in this setup, mostly flows up from the school to the coach. Big contracts offer job security, but let’s be real, it’s not about warm fuzzies. It’s a calculated move to cut risk and keep things steady.
Buyout clauses make the whole thing even more transactional. If a coach gets fired for no real reason, they’re still walking away with a hefty check. That’s loyalty, sure—but only in the financial sense.
Institutional Loyalty and Market Realities
Mizzou’s investment in Drinkwitz is a reflection of how things work in the NCAA now. Loyalty is tied to power and money, not tradition or nostalgia.
By securing Drinkwitz, Mizzou is really buying a little peace of mind—and maybe a bit of status—in a cutthroat market. But let’s not pretend it’s about sentimental bonds.
The loyalty here is pretty one-sided. Coaches get long-term deals and financial safety nets, but players? Not so much. Their loyalty gets praised, but rarely comes with guarantees or golden parachutes.
It’s hard to ignore the gap. Coaches and players are playing by different rules, and that says a lot about how college sports operate these days.
The Player Perspective: Loyalty Without Security
For players, loyalty can be a tricky thing. Ahmad Hardy, a sophomore running back who transferred to Mizzou in December 2024, chose to stay put—and fans loved it.
His loyalty got the spotlight, fitting that old-school idea that sticking around is noble. But let’s be honest, it’s only notable because it’s rare and not exactly lucrative for the player.
Now look at senior quarterback Beau Pribula. He spent just one season in Columbia before jumping back into the transfer portal. Fans saw it as a betrayal, but in reality, it was a smart move for him. One good season can totally change a player’s value.
The Impact of NIL and Transfer Portal
NIL deals and the transfer portal have made things even messier. Players can now chase better opportunities and cash in on their names, but loyalty? That’s still mostly a talking point.
The system loves to celebrate loyalty, but it doesn’t really back it up with security or money. Players have short windows, fragile bodies, and their worth can change overnight.
Honestly, bouncing around isn’t about a lack of loyalty—it’s just survival. The grind is real, and most of the rewards are promises of belonging, not actual paychecks.
Fans, Media, and the Myth of Loyalty
Fans and media play a big role in shaping how we think about loyalty. Fans demand devotion from everyone, but at the end of the day, it’s the wins that really count.
There’s this weird tension. Ambition gets you paid, but it can also get you booed, like when Lane Kiffin left mid-season for a big offer at LSU.
Online, transfers and exits are often painted as character flaws. It’s easy to forget that most moves are just business decisions.
This whole romantic idea of loyalty? It’s mostly a myth these days. The reality is, loyalty in college sports is just another thing that can be bought, sold, or traded—and sticking around for the long haul is getting rarer all the time.
The Future of Loyalty in College Athletics
Loyalty in college athletics, honestly, depends on your perspective. Coaches stick to their contracts, players are out chasing new chances, schools are focused on bringing in more revenue, and fans—well, they’re holding tight to nostalgia.
It’s a tangled web, and let’s face it, the conversation around loyalty could use a little more honesty. The way things are, everyone’s got their own priorities, and that’s just the reality.
Moments like Mizzou’s Luther Burden III staying put long enough to really become the face of his team? Those are rare now, and maybe that’s why people celebrate them so much. They’re a reminder of what loyalty could actually mean if things were a bit more fair.
For a deeper dive into the complexities of loyalty in college athletics, check out the full article on The Maneater.
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