MU football promotes Steckel to coordinator

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri linebackers coach Dave Steckel has been promoted to defensive coordinator.

Steckel has coached the linebackers under Gary Pinkel for eight seasons. He replaces Matt Eberflus, who left to become an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns last month.

The move was made Tuesday.

Pinkel has had to replace both coordinators during the offseason, promoting from within in each case. Dave Yost took over as offensive coordinator to replace Dave Christensen, who was hired as Wyoming's coach.

Pinkel also promoted Barry Odom to safeties coach after he served as director of football operations the past three seasons. Odom is a former Missouri linebacker.

-- AP