Boise State TEs coach Eliah Drinkwitz promoted to offensive coordinator
Boise State tight ends coach Eliah Drinkwitz has been promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, according to a source.
The move, as first reported by SI.com, was later announced Tuesday by Broncos coach Bryan Harsin. Drinkwitz succeeds Mike Sanford, who left earlier this month to become the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
The whip-smart 31-year-old Drinkwitz is a fast-rising disciple of Auburn coach Gus Malzahn and is regarded as one of college football’s brightest young offensive minds. He is also a well-regarded recruiter known for his detail.
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As recently as 2009, Drinkwitz was still coaching high school football as the offensive coordinator at Springdale (Ark.) High. He began at Springdale as an intern under Malzahn in ’04 and made the leap to the college level in ’10 when Malzahn, then the offensive coordinator at Auburn, brought him in as an offensive quality control assistant.
Drinkwitz followed Malzahn to Arkansas State when Malzahn became the Red Wolves’ head coach in ’12. After coaching running backs and special teams that year, Drinkwitz remained in Jonesboro, Ark., after Malzahn left to become Auburn’s head coach. New Arkansas State head coach Harsin elevated Drinkwitz to running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator and eventually turned over play-calling duties to Drinkwitz after seven games. The Red Wolves went 5-1 with Drinkwitz calling the plays.
When Harsin moved from Arkansas State to Boise State after a season, Drinkwitz came along, as well. Tuesday’s promotion continues his rapid ascent of the coaching ranks
In addition to Drinkwitz’s promotion, special teams coordinator Kent Riddle will now coach the Broncos’ tight ends, and strength and conditioning coach Lee Marks takes over at running backs.
This season was an electric first campaign for Boise State under Harsin. The Broncos went 12-2 while winning the Mountain West title and beating Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl.
