After just the second game of the season, the Missouri Tigers have fired defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross. Cross was in his second season as Missouri’s DC, after a disappointing first season. The timing of this seems odd, but maybe it would’ve been done at the end of the season anyways.

Mizzou’s defense was the worst in the SEC last season after Barry Odom was promoted from DC to Head Coach in the wake of Gary Pinkel’s departure. Odom still calls plays for the defense, but from an instructional standpoint, the team did not seem to be improving. Regardless, after getting torched by FCS Missouri State in week one, Cross was finding himself on the hot seat.

Surprisingly enough, the defense looked strong in a loss against South Carolina on Saturday. Despite allowing 31 points, most of this was due to mistakes from the team’s other units. 14 of the points scored by the Gamecocks came off of turnovers as Drew Locke through an interception and in his own territory and the team also fumbled a punt return to give South Carolina the ball with good field position after the defense had just forced a three and out. Kicking the ball to Deebo Samuel also was not a good idea as he returned a kickoff for a touchdown. The defense allowed just 4.3 yards per carry and 187 passing yards, a far cry from a fireable offense. I think this move is just Barry Odom trying to do something to please the boosters and attempt to save his own job if this season doesn’t go as planned.