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Central Michigan Football: New Coach Matt Drinkall Navigates Critical Early MAC Season Mount Pleasant, Michigan – The Central Michigan University (CMU) football programme is entering a pivotal phase under the leadership of first-year Head Coach Matt Drinkall, following a mixed start to the 2025 season. The Chippewas, currently standing at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, are seeking to establish a new, durable identity after two years of inconsistent late-season performances under the previous regime. Drinkall, who took the helm in December 2024 following the retirement of veteran coach Jim McElwain, arrived in Mount Pleasant with a mandate to revitalise the programme’s competitive edge. His hiring marked a significant administrative decision by CMU Athletics, signalling a shift towards a more physically demanding and strategically tailored style of play. The transition comes at a critical time for the Chippewas, who are attempting to recapture the form that saw them win nine games and claim a bowl victory in 2021. The early 2025 campaign has been characteristic of the programme’s recent history, exhibiting strong starts against winnable opponents, a massive disparity against elite opposition, and a struggle for consistency on the road. The season schedule has provided stark contrasts. After opening with an impressive victory over San Jose State and handling a non-FBS opponent in Wagner, the team faced two of the nation's premier programmes, suffering expected but heavy losses to Pittsburgh and the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines, the latter a commanding 63-3 defeat in Ann Arbor. While such defeats against "Power Five" opponents often serve as necessary revenue generators for MAC schools, they provide limited insight into conference readiness.
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The true gauge of the programme’s direction began with the MAC schedule. The Chippewas successfully defended their home turf with a 24-13 victory over in-state rival Eastern Michigan, a win that provided a crucial early boost. However, their subsequent road MAC contest resulted in a tight 28-22 loss to Akron, continuing a concerning trend for the programme. This pattern is a source of frustration for veterans on the CMU roster. “A lot of us who have been here and have seen us get to where we are now and then fall short, I think there’s a lot of hunger amongst the guys,” noted redshirt defensive lineman Jonathan Decker, addressing the media recently. “We talk about it a lot. You don't win that game until you finish that game. ” Decker's comments reflect the collective memory of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, where the Chippewas also started 3-2 but saw their records plummet in the latter half of the schedule. Coach Drinkall is implementing a holistic approach to combat these issues, focusing on building a "violent, physical brand of football" coupled with strong relational leadership.
His systematic philosophy, which he described as a "power spread system" designed to adjust tempo based on the opponent, is now taking hold. This system relies heavily on the capabilities of quarterbacks Joe Labas and Angel Flores, both of whom have shown flashes of high efficiency. Labas, in particular, has demonstrated highly effective decision-making in recent contests, though analysts suggest the team remains committed to a low-volume passing attack, focusing instead on run efficiency and controlling the clock. In his initial remarks to the media, Drinkall was clear about the identity he wants to forge, stating, “Our identity will be physical. When coaches watch us on film, I want them to think, 'I don't know if our kids can handle this. ' ” He also acknowledged the complexities of modern collegiate athletics, including Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) concerns, but stressed that his focus remains on building lasting relationships. “The only guarantee I’ve made to the players is that our coaches will have the best relationships and culture with them in all of college football,” he asserted. External analysts view Central Michigan as a programme with potential, but one that is currently fighting for mid-table status in a highly competitive MAC landscape. While the overall talent level might not match the conference leaders, the team’s early-season upsets—including an unheralded road win to start the season—demonstrate a capacity for resilience.
One regional college football writer, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss recruiting and talent disparity, observed that while CMU remains a challenging opponent, their success will be contingent on winning battles in the trenches and reducing unforced errors. The immediate outlook for Central Michigan is centered on their ongoing road struggles, notably a nine-game MAC road losing streak they must address to achieve bowl eligibility. The team’s schedule through the middle of the season features crucial conference matchups that will define the narrative of Drinkall’s inaugural year. Success will not be judged solely on securing a winning record, but on whether the team can demonstrate sustained competitive integrity throughout November, fundamentally changing the pattern of past seasons. The programme's future hinges on Drinkall’s ability to solidify his staff’s infrastructure, integrate his analytical approach, and leverage the renewed cultural emphasis to create a team that finishes strong. The coming weeks will offer a clear verdict on whether the new coaching regime has successfully instilled the discipline required to translate early-season promise into a genuine conference contention.
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