The Missouri Southern Lions football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Missouri Southern State University located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The team competes in the NCAA Division II and are members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The team plays its home games at the 7,000 seat Fred G. Hughes Stadium in Joplin, Missouri. Atiba Bradley was named the 14th head football coach in the history of Missouri Southern on February 5, 2021.
History
The Lions football program began in 1968. Their first head coach was Jim Johnson. Under coach Jim Frazier the Lions won the 1972 NAIA Division II football championship.
Conferences From its inaugural season in 1968 until 1975, Missouri Southern played as an independent program. In 1976, it joined the Central States Intercollegiate Conference in which the school won one conference championships before leaving to play as an NCAA Division II member of the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (later renamed Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) in 1989, where the Lions have since remained a member and have won one conference championship.
Championships
National championship seasons
1972 Jim Frazier NAIA Division II Playoffs 12–0 Won NAIA Division II Championship National Championships 1
Conference championship seasons
1976† Central States Intercollegiate Conference Jim Frazier 8–2 4–1 1993 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Jon Lantz 9–1–1 9–0 Total Conference championships: 2 † Denotes co-champions
Playoff appearances NCAA Division II Missouri Southern has made one appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0-1.
1993 First Round Mankato State L, 13–34
NAIA Division II playoffs Missouri Southern made one appearance in the NAIA playoffs, with a total record of 2–0.
1972 SemifinalsNational Championship DoaneNorthwestern (IA) W, 24–6W, 21–14
All-time record vs. current MIAA teams Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current MIAA opponents as of the end of the 2015 season: Central Missouri 15 22 2 Lost 4 1973Central Oklahoma 2 4 0 Lost 4 2012Emporia State 21 22 4 Lost 6 1970Fort Hays State 1 5 0 Lost 5 2012Lindenwood 1 4 0 Lost 3 2012Missouri Western 22 26 0 Lost 5 1970Nebraska–Kearney 8 9 0 Lost 1 1977Northeastern State 7 14 0 Lost 2 1968Northwest Missouri State 4 25 0 Lost 23 1989Pittsburg State 10 39 1 Lost 4 1968Washburn 20 25 1 Lost 3 1970 Totals 123 205 5
Notable former players Retired numbers
The Lions has retired only one number. Missouri Southern Lions retired numbers No. Player Pos. Tenure 9 Rod Smith WR 1988–1993
Additionally, Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
Other players James Thrash, former wide receiver for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. Richard Jordan, former linebacker for the Detroit Lions. Allen Barbre, former guard for the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. Brandon Williams, current free agent defensive tackle who has played for the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
References
External links