When head coach Bill Cooke tendered his resignation on Oct. 12, it came as a bit of a shock.

“I really wasn’t prepared for it to happen this way,” said Sallie Beard, Missouri Southern athletic director.

In his time at Southern, Bill Cooke guided the Lions to a 15-33 record, including a 5-6 record in 2002.

Cooke joined the Lions in January 1988 as defensive coordinator, but was given the title of interim head coach just two weeks before the beginning of the 1988 season. He finished that season with a record of 3-7. Twelve years later, Cooke took the helm again, this time succeeding Greg Gregory.

After a 1-5 start to the season, Cooke thought it was time for a change.

“On Wednesday (Oct. 8) I went to Mrs. Beard and told her that I was going to resign at the end of the season and surely at the end of the semester,” Cooke said.

But all that changed after a loss to the Truman State University Bulldogs Oct. 11.

“I ask our players to make a 100 percent commitment,” Cooke said. “And it wasn’t morally right for me to not be 100 percent committed when I’m asking them to.”

Cooke does hope that some good will come of this situation.

“I’m in hopes that this move will spark this program and get it going,” he said. Cooke was remembered by many not for his record, but for the kind of man that he is.

“I have had the opportunity to work with Bill Cooke for 16 years,” Beard said. “And the one thing that I do know is that he is a man who has a genuine desire to do what is right.”

“He did a lot for the program,” said senior line backer Josh Elmer.

“He tries his best,” said senior wide receiver Josh Combs. “I respect Coach Cooke.”

For now, Rob Green, assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator will lead the team.

Southern will launch a nationwide search for a replacement soon. Beard said Southern hopes to have a replacement hired before the end of the semester.