Missouri Southern State in Joplin is looking to write a new chapter this upcoming football season. The M I Double A held its football media on Tuesday. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

In 2019, the Lions had a record of 2 and 9 in their 1st and only full season under head coach Jeff Sims who was let go late last year. During his short time in Joplin, Southern President Dean VanGalen fired Athletic Director Jerrod Brugman and replaced him with Rob Mallory who started July 1. Prior to that, MSSU announced the hiring of a new head football coach Atiba Bradley in February.

Bradley spoke Tuesday at MIAA’s Football Media day about the upcoming season. “I know for fact that the players and the coaches are excited to see what we’re about to do this season. And I’m just anxious to see it all as well as our team mates. And with how we’ve come together in a little bit of time and what we’ve done”. The Lions will have their work cut out for them. MSSU was picked to finish 10th in this season’s MIAA football Preseason coaches poll. The Lions start the season on the road taking on Nebraska-Kearney Thursday September 2.