As spring athletic practices come to a close, Missouri Southern head coach Bart Tatum looks forward to beginning the 40th year of the Lions football program.

Tatum was named coach on December 13, 2005, just weeks after the season was over. Tatum replaced coach John Ware, who passed away unexpectedly during the season. Assistant Coach Keeth Matheny led the team for the remainder of the season.

In his first year at the helm, Tatum led the Lions to a sixth place finish in the MIAA. The Lions ended the season with a 3-6 conference record and an overall record of 5-6.

“I think we can win here,” Tatum said. “If the right commitments are made by the institution, we can have a championship team.”

The program lost fifteen players after this past season, leaving Tatum the challenge of replenishing the defensive line.

“We lost defensive end Devin Rutledge, a legitimate contender for defensive player of the year,” he said. “Kyle Mayden on our defensive line was a great leader.

“Of course we lost Allen Barbre, and Ben Augustin, and we could go right down the list.”

Even with the fifteen vacancies to fill, Tatum firmly believes in every player earning their position, whether or not they held it the previous season.

“We have 22 positions on offense and defense; punter, kicker, special teams, all are up for grabs,” he said. “There are no locks. We’re trying to get better. These players will tell you they don’t want to be given a position, they want to earn it.”

No matter who Tatum has on the field, his goal for the program is honorable.

“I want our team to be characterized by integrity and a solid track record off the field academically and in the community,” he said. “I want people to look at the Missouri Southern football team and say they conduct their affairs with integrity and class and character.

If we do all these things, the wins will take care of themselves.”

The Lions open regular season play Aug. 30 @ Haskell University.