Last Updated on December 13, 2018 9:58 am
NEW ORLEANS — With a track record and style that are ideal fits for Appalachian State’s high-scoring, championship-winning program, Eliah Drinkwitz has agreed to become the Mountaineers’ next head football coach.
Drinkwitz, 35, has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for record-setting NC State teams the past three seasons, as he joined the Wolfpack after excelling in a similar role at Group of Five conference power Boise State. His five-year contract, which runs through the 2023 season, was approved Thursday morning by Chancellor Sheri Everts and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees and is subject to North Carolina Board of Governors approval.
Drinkwitz will be introduced as the 21st head football coach in App State history on Monday in the Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex. The Mountaineers play Middle Tennessee on Saturday night in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
“I’m excited to welcome Eliah and his family to App Nation,” App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin said. “The App State football program is in great position to continue its championship ways. Eliah is committed to excellence academically, competitively, socially and to the well-being of our student-athletes. There was significant interest in our process throughout a national search. Eliah has great character and a clear vision for the future of Mountaineer football. I’m excited about the future of our football program.”
From coaching in high school to both the Group of Five and Power Five levels in college, Drinkwitz has proven to be a consistent winner.
Drinkwitz has succeeded while running an offense similar to what App State has used in winning three straight Sun Belt Conference championships.
“My family and I are excited to embrace and build upon the proud tradition of Appalachian State Football,” Drinkwitz said. “I am thankful to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Everts, Doug Gillin and the entire App Nation for the opportunity to be the head coach at this great university. This is a special time for App Nation, and we will work tirelessly to uphold the championship tradition.”
Drinkwitz graduated magna cum laude and served as the student body president at Arkansas Tech before beginning his coaching career in 2005, and he was a quality control assistant at Auburn when the Tigers won the 2010 national championship.
Drinkwitz was a key figure in back-to-back Sun Belt championships in 2012-13 as a running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator at Arkansas State, and he coached tight ends at Boise State in 2014 before being promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Broncos in 2015.
He helped Boise State go 12-2 in 2014 en route to a Mountain West Championship and No. 16 final national ranking. As QB coach the next year, Drinkwitz helped the Bronco offense rank in the top 15 nationally in points per game (39.1) and yards per game (501.3), setting the stage for the Wolfpack of the ACC to bring him to North Carolina as NC State’s offensive coordinator.
Following a 9-4 season in 2017 with a 9-3 mark going into this year’s bowl game, NC State has posted back-to-back seasons of nine wins for the first time since 1991-92. Averaging 35.6 points per game this year, the Wolfpack has a 1,000-yard rusher for the third straight year, two 1,000-yard receivers and a quarterback with nearly 3,800 passing yards.
Under Drinkwitz’s direction, the Wolfpack offense rose from 63rd nationally in total offense in his first season to 25th in 2017 and 16th this season.
App State has increased its total to seven straight seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher, and NC State has had a 1,000-yard rusher in each of Drinkwitz’s three seasons after going without one since 2002. The Wolfpack’s offense had three players taken in the 2018 NFL Draft.
A native of Norman, Okla., Drinkwitz and his wife, Lindsey, have three daughters: Addison, Emerson and Ella.
Drinkwitz’s Coaching Career:
2005 – Alma (Ark.) HS – Assistant Coach
2006-09 – Springdale (Ark.) HS – Offensive Coordinator
2010-11 – Auburn – Quality Control Assistant
2012 – Arkansas State – Running Backs
2013 – Arkansas State – Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
2014 – Boise State – Tight Ends
2015 – Boise State – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2016-18 – NC State – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Drinkwitz’s Impact as OC (national ranks in parentheses):
Boise State (2015) – Total Offense (15), Scoring Offense (15)
NC State (2016) – Total Offense (63), Scoring Offense (75)
NC State (2017) – Total Offense (25), Scoring Offense (40)
NC State (2018) – Total Offense (16), Scoring Offense (22)
What They’re Saying about Drinkwitz:
GUS MALZAHN- Auburn head coach
“Appalachian State is not only getting a great coach, but an even better person. Eliah has a true gift to get the most out of his players on and off the field and will lead his team with great character and integrity. I'm very proud of him and excited to see the great things to come for Appalachian State Football.”
GENE CHIZIK – Former head coach, Iowa State and Auburn
2010 National Champion
“Eliah is a rising star in this profession. He is a great football coach, a great family man and will be a great mentor and role model for young people. He is a great offensive mind, very creative, innovative, detailed and thorough in his approach. He uses his personnel as effectively as anybody in the country. Appalachian State just hired a great leader of men!”
WILL MUSCHAMP – South Carolina head coach
“Eliah is an outstanding person and football coach. He creates major issues for you as a play caller. He has done a great job at NC State. Appalachian State is getting a great one.”
DAVE CLAWSON – Wake Forest head coach
“Eliah Drinkwitz is one of the coordinators that I had the most respect for in the ACC. He has a proven ability to develop QB’s, and I always felt his game plans were creative and innovative. I believe Appalachian State University has made a great hire to lead its football program.”
BARRY ODOM – Missouri head coach
“I’ve gotten to know Eliah over the past few years and am so impressed by his vision, work ethic and ability to relate to all. His abilities show through in the ways his team plays. He sees the big picture and will put his kids in a position to be successful in every area of their lives.”
