Missouri State

[Local Expert]

As a long time fan of this long suffering football program...
I've wondered every year [20+ years] what the heck is
wrong here in Springfield?

My question is...Why do proven winners struggle at Missouri State?

Some important background though; In my own humble opinion, I figured the
downfall began back in the early 1990's when the new college president
unceremoniously ushered Jesse Branch and his successful option oriented
offense out of Springfield...guess winning became too boring...

Replaced by what some perceived as a more "crowd friendly", faster paced
passing oriented offense by new coach Del Miller. Though initially somewhat
successful, it was ultimately a failure, and Miller was gone in 4 years time.

Replaced by Gateway coaching stalwart Randy Ball. The Ball era wasn't much
better at all...Having two one-game-over .500 seasons in 7 years.

Then Terry Allen was hired. Fresh out of his miserable stint at Kansas; he didn't
fair much better, only having two one-game-over .500 seasons in 9 years.

Now we have Dave Steckel. 5-17 in two years...

The issue that seems to mystify me is that Ball, Allen, and Steckel
have been incredibly successful in other programs.

Ball was fairly successful at Western Illinois. 8 years 64-41, 4 playoff appearances,
and a semi final appearance in 1998.

Terry Allen was 75-26 at Northern Iowa. Was a 7 time Gatway Conference Champion,
and went to the playoffs 7 times in his 8 years as head coach there.

Dave Steckel was a rather successful part of the Gary Pinkel era, and was a solid hire.

So what's the deal??

Is Missouri State, geographically in the wrong place to entice top level transfers from
all levels?

Are the facilities on par with other top level programs?

Does the University balk at hiring top level assistants?

Does MSU struggle recruiting top level area talent, and talent from surrounding states?

Does getting their brains beat out in these "Money Games" by Memphis, Oklahoma State,
Kansas, Kansas St., Arkansas, Arkansas State, Oregon, Louisville, and Mizzou worth it?

Is the pre-game meal horrible??

Seriously...regardless of the "The Buck Stops With Me" attitude and the tough talk of Steckel,
I can't imagine this years offering being any better than the last 20 years...but I hope I'm wrong...

 

[millerbleach]

A lot of talent doesn't "qualify" for Mo State.
Ball used a lot of D1 transfers at Western Illinois that either didn't measure up at Mo St because of grades or citizenship standards both of which are more lax at Western.
Some of the problem is tradition being losers.
Bottom line.....I'm with you and don't understand why.

 

[Pinochet]

A lot of talent doesn't "qualify" for Mo State.
Ball used a lot of D1 transfers at Western Illinois that either didn't measure up at Mo St because of grades or citizenship standards both of which are more lax at Western.
Some of the problem is tradition being losers.
Bottom line.....I'm with you and don't understand why.

I know several alumni who played there in different decades: 70s, 80s, 90s. They all claim that the school could care less about their alumni. Without alumni support that weakens the program and university and the ability to bring money and recruit.

 

[JNreturns]

As a long time fan of this long suffering football program...
I've wondered every year [20+ years] what the heck is
wrong here in Springfield?

My question is...Why do proven winners struggle at Missouri State?

Some important background though; In my own humble opinion, I figured the
downfall began back in the early 1990's when the new college president
unceremoniously ushered Jesse Branch and his successful option oriented
offense out of Springfield...guess winning became too boring...

Replaced by what some perceived as a more "crowd friendly", faster paced
passing oriented offense by new coach Del Miller. Though initially somewhat
successful, it was ultimately a failure, and Miller was gone in 4 years time.

Replaced by Gateway coaching stalwart Randy Ball. The Ball era wasn't much
better at all...Having two one-game-over .500 seasons in 7 years.

Then Terry Allen was hired. Fresh out of his miserable stint at Kansas; he didn't
fair much better, only having two one-game-over .500 seasons in 9 years.

Now we have Dave Steckel. 5-17 in two years...

The issue that seems to mystify me is that Ball, Allen, and Steckel
have been incredibly successful in other programs.

Ball was fairly successful at Western Illinois. 8 years 64-41, 4 playoff appearances,
and a semi final appearance in 1998.

Terry Allen was 75-26 at Northern Iowa. Was a 7 time Gatway Conference Champion,
and went to the playoffs 7 times in his 8 years as head coach there.

Dave Steckel was a rather successful part of the Gary Pinkel era, and was a solid hire.

So what's the deal??

Is Missouri State, geographically in the wrong place to entice top level transfers from
all levels?

Are the facilities on par with other top level programs?

Does the University balk at hiring top level assistants?

Does MSU struggle recruiting top level area talent, and talent from surrounding states?

Does getting their brains beat out in these "Money Games" by Memphis, Oklahoma State,
Kansas, Kansas St., Arkansas, Arkansas State, Oregon, Louisville, and Mizzou worth it?

Is the pre-game meal horrible??

Seriously...regardless of the "The Buck Stops With Me" attitude and the tough talk of Steckel,
I can't imagine this years offering being any better than the last 20 years...but I hope I'm wrong...

Is Missouri State, geographically in the wrong place to entice top level transfers fromall levels? Yes, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma St. can swoosh in. The MIAA has an excellent league and players can get in-state tuition and more playing time at those as an enticement. Would you rather go to Central Missouri and be a starter 3 years or Go to Missouri State and maybe play a year and a half?

Forty-four players out of their 87 man roster are from another state. But getting the big fish is a problem.

Are the facilities on par with other top level programs? For Division I-AA (whatever they call it now) it isn't THAT bad. Hell they have dropped wrestling, track, and tennis. They should have more money lying around.

Does the University balk at hiring top level assistants? Probably.

Does MSU struggle recruiting top level area talent, and talent from surrounding states? Yes, See above.

 

[outsideveer89]

I know several alumni who played there in different decades: 70s, 80s, 90s. They all claim that the school could care less about their alumni. Wtill ithout alumni support that weakens the program and university and the ability to bring money and recruit.

I was in Stillwater last night, that was bad.

Still don't agree with MSU linebacker getting ejected

 

[BearsCountry]

Biggest problem is the lack of D1 transfers. Lots of the FCS schools have very laxed requirements ie if you breathe on glass and it clouds up, you are admitted. Missouri State doesn't do that.

But overall same problem that Mizzou has - keeping recruits in-state. Lock down the FCS in-state talent, fill in with Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Memphis kids, fill holes with JUCOs and D1 transfers. Winning program. Lock down the state of Missouri and you will have a solid program.

 

[CoachFox-ScreamingEagles]

I know during one of the transitions they had a good ol boy by the name of Jerry Kill interested but for some reason they didn't hire him. I wonder if he ever got a chance to coach, I wonder what ever came of him.

 

[J. Kane]

 

[Local Expert]

As far as the coaching options...
I had heard the Jerry Kill rumor. I believe that apparently occurred after
Miller was fired after the 1998 season. To be perfectly honest, I was never understood why Randy Ball left Western Ill. He had Western Ill. rolling.
I can also understand why the MSU admin. went after Terry Allen. He was a proven commodity in the Gateway. Steckel is an understandable pick with this track record with Pinkel and his no-nonsense persona.

As far as who the Bears play...
The Bears are year in, and year out pretty noncompetitive in the MVC...
Only winning 7 conference games going all the way back to the 2014 season.
Unless something completely unbelievable happens, I don't know how
they'd ever beat North Dakota St., South Dakota St., Illinois St. etc...

I wonder if there's ever been talk about MSU getting out of the MVC
and joining the Ohio Valley Conference...They could at least beat SEMO..

 

[msubearssuperfan1]

Not leaving the MVC. Forget that idea. We've just got to get better!!

They've hired the wrong guy four straight times.

Need a coach in his 30's that breathes fire and wants to win more than he wants to live! I'm sick of these guys in their mid-40's, early-50's who (clearly) don't have it anymore.

Losing top local talent (Dre Dokes to UNI, the Waynesville kid also to UNI I think), hasn't helped.

Updated facilities in 2014 means we can't use that excuse anymore. However, an indoor practice facility needs to be built in the near future.

 

[AC100]

Not leaving the MVC. Forget that idea. We've just got to get better!!

They've hired the wrong guy four straight times.

Need a coach in his 30's that breathes fire and wants to win more than he wants to live! I'm sick of these guys in their mid-40's, early-50's who (clearly) don't have it anymore.

Losing top local talent (Dre Dokes to UNI, the Waynesville kid also to UNI I think), hasn't helped.

Updated facilities in 2014 means we can't use that excuse anymore. However, an indoor practice facility needs to be built in the near future.

I think Terry Allen was a good hire that just didn't work.

 

[freezeoption]

It doesn't help when the crowd comes there to watch a guy or a dog run out there to get the kick off tee and that is the big draw. When we lived by Springfield I got season tickets every year. 4 tickets for a 100 bucks for all season was a great deal. People were busy talking and not watching the game. They were happy to watch the flag guys in the band.

 

[Centraliapanther4life]

There is enough fcs level talent in the state of missouri for them to get even after missouri and northwest gets their talent

 

[hitch_and_go]

Here is my Missouri State story : I'm watching a district/ playoff game at Webb City against Hillcrest. I often sit in the visiting seats because there is more room and I was this particular game . Anyways ... Phoenix Johnson is just making Hillcrest look stupid ..(he did that to most and averaged like 10ypc his senior year . ) ..anyways

Hillcrest fan : " this is the best rb I've ever seen . Where's he going ?
Me: " Missouri State "
Hillcrest fan : uhh ...why would he do that ??? What a waste ....
Me : idk his brother went there last year so I assume to be with him
Hillcrest fan: wow. They both really botched that decision

 

[hitch_and_go]

All I took from that was even the Springfield area guys have zero faith in their program.