Missouri Southern has dismissed head coach Jeff Sims, the school announced Wednesday morning. A reason for the change was not given.
Linebackers coach Joe Bettasso will take over as interim head coach.
“We have every confidence in Coach Bettasso that he will be committed to growing a successful program, leading with integrity, and putting our student-athletes first,” said AD Jared Bruggeman. “Bettasso has served as interim head coach before and we feel he is the right person to step in as we search for a new leader for Southern football.”
Sims spent one season at Missouri Southern after being hired in November 2018, going 2-9. He was Garden City Community College's head coach for four seasons prior to that, winning one JuCo national championship and posting a runner-up finish in 2019.
Missouri Southern is a Division II school in Joplin, Mo. The Lions compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The school will begin a national search for Sims' replacement imminently.
“We will be looking for someone who has built a winning program, is high-energy, and has strong organizational skills,” said Bruggeman. “A healthy athletics program is vital to the college experience and we are looking forward to the upward momentum of the program for all of our Lion community.”
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.