Jeff Sims named Lions’ new head coach

Changes keep coming. This Missouri Southern football program has seen a surplus of changes the past few seasons, and they aren’t done yet. 

Jeff Sims was announced last Sunday to be the new head coach of the Missouri Southern football team. Sims is currently the head coach of Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. Sims has led his team to a current 10-0 record and they are awaiting their national championship game on November 29. They will be facing East Mississippi, the top ranked team in the NJCAA rankings for all junior colleges in the nation. Garden City is ranked second in the nation. 

Sims becomes the 13th head coach in Missouri Southern history. Sims will coming to Missouri Southern with a 77-31 record as a junior college head coach. 

“This is an exciting opportunity to join the Missouri Southern football program and Joplin community,” Sims said. “Leading this program is a dream come true for me. Having grown up in the state of Missouri, gone to school and coached in the area, I have always enjoyed Joplin and believe in what Missouri Southern can become. I would like to thank, Dr. Marble, Jared Bruggeman, and all the Missouri Southern alums who worked hard to make this partnership a reality. Also, my family Dylan, Jake, Sammie, and my wife Lecia who have been supportive as we have chased this dream. I can’t wait to get to work this December to help be a part of building the best experience for our football players, setting them up to be service-minded, graduates, and champions.”

Sims is quoted saying this in Justin Maskus’ story on mssulions.com from the press conference at the North Endzone Facility. 

Sims has went 32-12 since becoming the Garden City head coach four seasons ago. He won a 2016 NJCAA national championship, and is trying to do so again in 2018. 

Sims also coached at Fort Scott community college where his record was 32-12 as well. He made an appearance in the 2009 national championship with Fort Scott. At Masabi Range, his first head coach job, he went 13-7, and 10-1 in 2003. 

He has led four undefeated seasons, three national championship appearance, he has earned 2016 national coach of the year. He’s the winningest active coach in the Kansas Junior College Conference. He’s been given two KJCC coach of the year honors.

Sims has coached 49 different football players into NFL careers. Two first-rounders, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Mike Hughes.