As the Missouri State Bears roll through the current season, head coach Ryan Beard and offensive coordinator Nick Petrino lead a talented staff that features both young and veteran coaches. This staff team aims to build on the recent successes and elevate the Bears in the new season and beyond.
Coaching Staff of 2025 Missouri State Bears
Head Coach, Ryan Beard
Missouri State University officially introduced Ryan Beard as its head football coach on December 19, 2022, making him the youngest coach in program history at age 34 and the 22nd to hold the position. Beard stepped into the role after serving three seasons (2020-22) as the Bears’ defensive coordinator under Bobby Petrino.
In his debut season, 2023, he led the team to a 4-7 record, including a notable 35-16 victory over No. 18 Northern Iowa, finishing with a strong November surge. The Bears ranked No. 5 nationally in passing offense (300.3 yards per game), No. 7 in pass efficiency (158.77), 26th in total offense (400.8), and 31st in scoring (29.8), earning seven All-MVFC selections and multiple All-America honors. Beard’s efforts landed him a spot in the AFCA’s 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute.
Beard’s Coaching Experience:
- 2022-present: Missouri State, HC
- 2020-22: Missouri State, DC
Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach Nick Petrino
Nick Petrino joined Missouri State in 2020 as offensive coordinator under his father, Bobby Petrino, and has since transformed the Bears’ offense into a lethal weapon. In 2023, his unit ranked No. 5 nationally in passing offense (300.3), No. 7 in pass efficiency (158.77), and 26th in total offense (400.8), producing three All-MVFC honorees, including first-team WR Raylen Sharpe.
Petrino’s Coaching Experience:
- 2020-present: Missouri State, OC/QB
Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line Coach, L.D. Scott
L.D. Scott arrived at Missouri State in 2020 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2023 under Ryan Beard while continuing to coach the defensive line. In his first year as DC, Scott’s defense notched 14 takeaways, 41 points off turnovers, 60 passes defended, and 17 sacks, holding opponents under 400 yards in three of the final six games. The 2023 Bears ranked 40th nationally in interceptions (10) and tackles for loss per game (5.9).
Scott’s Coaching Experience:
- 2023-present: Missouri State, DC/DL
- 2020-22: Missouri State, DL
Co-Special Teams Coordinator / Outside Linebackers Coach Michael Downing
Michael Downing joined the Bears in February 2022 as outside linebackers coach and later added co-special teams coordinator duties. In 2023, his defensive unit contributed to a 40th national ranking in interceptions (10) and tackles for loss (5.9), while OLB Dylan Simmons earned CSC Academic All-District honors. Downing’s group showed great potential despite a 4-7 season.
Downing’s Coaching Experience:
- 2022-present: Missouri State, Co-STC/OLB
Co-Special Teams Coordinator / Tight Ends Coach Wesley Satterfield
Wesley Satterfield arrived at Missouri State in the spring of 2024 as a tight ends coach and co-special teams coordinator. Previously, he spent two seasons (2022-23) as Tennessee Tech’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, boosting the Golden Eagles’ offense by 75 yards and seven points per game.
Satterfield’s Coaching Experience:
- 2024-present: Missouri State, Co-STC/TE
- 2022-23: Tennessee Tech, OC/QB
Offensive Line Coach, Max Halpin
Max Halpin joined the Bears in February 2021 as offensive line coach. In 2022, All-MVFC selection Landon Bebee anchored a line that averaged 5.2 yards per carry and supported over 4,000 offensive yards. In 2021, Halpin’s unit helped the Bears rank 16th nationally in total offense (436.5) and 12th in scoring (34.2), earning an FCS Playoff spot.
Halpin’s Coaching Experience:
- 2021-present: Missouri State, OL
Safeties Coach, Tramain Thomas
Tramain Thomas came to Missouri State in November 2020 as a defensive backs coach, transitioning to safeties coach in 2023. His 2023 safeties, Todric McGee (second-team All-MVFC, 102 tackles) and P.J. Hall (62 tackles, started all 11 games, contributing to takeaways and 60 passes defended.
Thomas’s Coaching Experience:
- 2023-present: Missouri State, Safeties
- 2020-22: Missouri State, DB
Director of On-Campus Recruiting / Defensive Assistant Dalton Franks
Dalton Franks joined Missouri State in August 2023 as director of on-campus recruiting and defensive assistant, working with linebackers alongside Cort Dennison. Previously, he spent two years at Missouri Western, coaching safeties in 2022 to a 45th national ranking in pass defense (182.8 yards per game).
Franks’s Coaching Experience:
- 2023-present: Missouri State, Dir. Recruiting/DA
- 2022: Missouri Western, Safeties
- 2020-21: Missouri Western, GA (DL)
Cornerbacks Coach, Chris Franklin
Chris Franklin arrived at Missouri State in the spring of 2024 as the cornerback’s coach. Before Springfield, he coached at Eastern Kentucky (2020-23) and worked with Western Kentucky’s cornerbacks in 2019, aiding a 9-4 season and bowl win. Franklin FCS and defensive expertise have been very profitable for the team so far.
Franklin’s Coaching Experience:
- 2024-present: Missouri State, CB
- 2020-23: Eastern Kentucky, CB
- 2019: Western Kentucky, QC (CB)
Running Backs Coach, Ace Wales
Anthony “Ace” Wales joined the Bears in spring 2024 as running backs coach. In 2023, he was a graduate assistant at Louisville during a 10-4 season, and in 2022, he served as recruiting coordinator at Western Kentucky. Wales adds energy and recruiting savvy to the staff.
Wales’s Coaching Experience:
- 2024-present: Missouri State, RB
- 2023: Louisville, GA
- 2022: Western Kentucky, RC/QC
Wide Receivers Coach (Pro Liaison), David Clowney IV
David Clowney IV joined Missouri State in summer 2024 as wide receivers coach, bringing over 20 years of college and NFL experience. In 2022, his Stetson receivers led the Pioneer League in yards after catch and touchdowns. With NFL jobs at Carolina, the Jets, and Buffalo, Clowney has improved the Bears’ pro-pipeline.
Clowney’s Coaching Experience:
- 2024-present: Missouri State, WR/Pro Liaison
- 2023: Morehouse, QB/Interim HC
- 2022: Stetson, WR
- 2017-18: Howard, WR
- 2016-17: FIU, WR
- 2015-16: ASA College Miami, WR
- 2014: Virginia Tech, WR
- NFL: Carolina (2023), Jets (2019-21), Bills (2016)
KEEP READING: 2025 Texas Longhorns Coaching Staff Led by Steve Sarkisian, Pete Kwiatkowski
With Beard and Petrino at the helm, this 2025 Missouri State staff has a lot on its plate, as it must prepare its team for the upcoming seasons.
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