OPINION|
Congratulations to Ryan Beard. After accomplishing the improbable feat of leading Missouri State to seven victories in the school’s first Football Bowl Subdivision season, he did something once deemed impossible:
For the first time, maybe ever, Missouri State had a football coach that a more-established school wanted to hire as its own head coach. It happened on Dec. 11 when Beard accepted an offer to lead Coastal Carolina of the Sun Belt Conference.
While it’s disappointing that Beard — after a short-but-historic three-season run at Missouri State is off to a new challenge — it is not surprising. And that’s exactly what those who want Bears’ football to flourish should want. Three years from now, if Beard’s successor is hired away, that means the program has continued to improve.
Instead of being offended that Beard decided to leave, fans can view it as a compliment that a program that’s been in six straight bowl games, with resources and fan support that dwarf Missouri State, wanted a guy with a short track record.
The nature of the college football calendar, of course, is what makes this all stink to high heaven. The Bears have their first FBS bowl game Dec. 18 against Arkansas State in Frisco, Texas. Due to the need to immediately recruit, the urgency of the transfer portal and to meet his new players, Beard — and perhaps several members of his staff — won’t be on the sideline at the XBox Bowl.
Coach Ryan Beard seen here against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)
Those of us who have covered Beard during his time in Springfield could tell right away that the guy was a star in the making. Young, smart, energetic, charismatic and knowledgeable about football. Beard was clearly the total package and he, along with his staff, worked wonders in the transition to FBS.
When Beard’s father-in-law, Bobby Petrino, departed after the 2022 season to become offensive coordinator at UNLV, Beard was the logical choice for the promotion from defensive coordinator. The Bears were 4-7 in Beard’s first season as the boss, but bid farewell to the FCS with a blazing 8-4 record in 2024.
The first FBS season and entry into Conference USA figured to be a surprise for anything above three or four victories. They flew past that by mid-October.
The immediate reaction of Beard’s departure on social media was predictably emotional, with some fans blaming Beard for taking the money and others blaming the school for not stepping up to match the monetary offer. But what was Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell to do, rob a bank? Snap his fingers and make money grow on the tree nearest Plaster Stadium? If booster money isn’t there, it isn’t there.
I’m pretty sure the majority of folks reading this would snap at an opportunity to double their salary and move to a place with a bigger, better stadium, larger budget, excellent fan support and facilities that aren’t stuck in the 1980s. Beard and wife Katie have four young children. What dad doesn’t aspire to make for a better life for his kids and wife?
When Missouri State stepped up to the FBS level this season, it brought about economic challenges and probably always will. This season has been one of the great stories in local sports history, but the Bears are early in the development of infrastructure, and raising the needed cash, to make success sustainable.
Most of us who enjoyed the new-found success of Missouri State football had hoped Beard would stick around another year or two to help facilitate that build. But that didn’t happen and, when you aspire to play big boy football, you can’t be surprised. Coaches have left schools like Ole Miss, Iowa State, Memphis, James Madison, South Florida and North Texas for more-attractive jobs. It happens.
Missouri State head football coach Ryan Beard celebrates after FIU’s missed field goal on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
Beard likely aspires to one day lead a Power 4 conference program. A direct jump from Missouri State to such a place wasn’t going to happen any more than flying from Springfield straight to New York City. There was going to be an intermediate career stop somewhere for Beard and Coastal Carolina could be his.
During his final meeting with local media, after the Bears’ regular-season finale on Nov. 29, Beard was asked about the possibilities of a contract extension or interest from other schools.
“How long’s it been since Missouri State’s head coach was even wanted by anyone else?” Beard said. “That’s a tip of the hat to our players. Everything we achieve is our players.”
I wish Beard nothing but the best in his future — just as I wish lots of luck to Athletic Director Patrick Ransdell in finding the next man up to lead Missouri State’s program. It will be the AD’s first major coaching hire since arriving a little over a year ago and it will be fascinating to watch.
Lyndal Scranton is a Springfield native who has covered sports in the Ozarks for more than 35 years, witnessing nearly every big sports moment in the region during the last 50 years. The Missouri Sports Hall of Famer, Springfield Area Sports Hall of Famer and live-fire cooking enthusiast also serves as PR Director for Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and is co-host of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Contact him at Lscranton755@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @LyndalScranton. More by Lyndal Scranton