The search for a new head football coach at Missouri Southern officially came to an end Wednesday when Director of Athletics Jared Bruggeman announced Denver Johnson as the Lions’ new coach. Johnson becomes the 13th head football coach in school history, replacing Daryl Day, who in February resigned to take a coaching job at Division I Northwestern State University in Louisiana.

“I understand what a big hire a head football coach is to a University, to an athletic department, and to a community, and I don’t take that lightly,” said Johnson. “I certainly appreciate the confidence the [search] committee, Dr. Marble, and Jared have in me. I’m ready to hit the ground running and show everyone how excited I am to be here.”

Johnson joins the Southern family after spending the last four seasons as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Prior to that, the 2012 Merv Johnson Integrity in College Coaching Award winner spent two seasons as the offense line coach at Colorado.

“Bricks and mortar and concrete and steel will create a place that will show up as a spot on a map,” said Johnson. “But it’s people that create a place that win a spot in your heart. As we explored this, all the people that we came in contact with were very positive and engaging, and we felt like it was a good fit. I think most things in life are about good fits, and we felt like this was an excellent fit for us.”

Johnson brings a 69-66 head coaching record to Southern, which he accumulated over the course of 12 seasons at Division I FCS schools Illinois State (2000-08) and Murray State (1997-99). Johnson also coached the offensive line at Tennessee-Martin, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma.

“Denver’s already fitting in around here and I think he’s going to be an awfully good football coach for Missouri Southern,” said University President Alan Marble. “He has a great heart and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Johnson’s football prowess isn’t limited to coaching. He was an All-Missouri Valley Conference offensive lineman as a senior at Tulsa and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1981, where he spent two seasons. Johnson then went on to play three more seasons in the now-defunct USFL for the Los Angeles Express and the Houston Gamblers.

“We needed something new, something fresh; we needed somebody to come in here and take charge,” said cornerback William Isabell. “With the weapons we have on the defensive and the offensive side I think we can do a lot this year.”

“He looks like he loves what he’s doing, and I can tell he’s trying to build this program up to be something great,” said defensive back Brian Hanserd. “I’m glad I can be a part of what could be history.”

Johnson has yet to make a decision on whether to retain any of the current staff and will begin the process of interviewing assistants immediately. Johnson hopes to begin spring practice next week.