Missouri State University officially presented its new head football coach Monday with the introduction of Ryan Beard at a news conference in Great Southern Bank Arena on the Springfield campus.

Beard, 33, has served as the program's defensive coordinator the past three years under former head coach Bobby Petrino. He was announced as Petrino's replacement and the program's 22nd head coach on Friday.

"My family and I are honored to serve and lead the Missouri State football team," said Beard. "The success that MSU has felt starts at the very top. President Smart and (athletic director) Kyle Moats have a crystal-clear vision of what they believe this university can be. That is an institution of exceptional higher learning experiences and premier sports programs."

Beard has played a significant role in Missouri State's recent resurgence on the gridiron. He has managed a Bears defensive unit that has boasted 14 all-conference selections, three All-Americans and two professional players in his tenure as defensive coordinator while helping push the program to national prominence.

"It was important to me that we kept the continuity of our coaching staff intact, as well as the overall structure of our program," said Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. "We have made great strides in all areas the past three years with this staff, and we have a lot of momentum. I firmly believe Ryan has earned the respect of our players, our recruits, and our coaching staff."

In his first campaign in Springfield in 2020-21, Beard and his defensive unit broke a program record for sacks with 27, created 15 turnovers, and held every Missouri Valley Football Conference foe under 30 points for the first time since 1989. His inaugural season at MSU culminated in five all-conference selections, while the Bears captured a share of the Valley championship and earned an NCAA playoff berth for the first time in 30 years. 

In Beard's second year with the program in 2021, the Bears topped the club sack record again (30), racked up 25 takeaways and secured 15 interceptions. In addition to making a second straight NCAA playoff appearance in 2021, MSU finished second in the MVFC standings, ranked ninth nationally in turnovers gained and finished 14th in interceptions per game. The 2021 Bears boasted five all-conference players on the defensive side of the ball, including safeties Kyriq McDonald and Titus Wall. Wall went on to immediate success with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, while Bears' defensive lineman Eric Johnson was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The 2022 Bears defense gave up just 15.8 points per game over their last four games with defensive end Kevin Ellis leading the nation in fumble recoveries, and four MSU defenders earning all-conference laurels.

"Our football team will maintain a standard of excellence in everything that we do: academics, community engagement, and performance on the football field," said Beard. "Springfield is a special community that has taken our football family in with open arms. I'm thankful to be able to continue to cultivate those relationships for years to come."

Beard holds two degrees from Western Kentucky University: a bachelor of science in Business Management (2012), and a master of science in Recreation and Sport Administration (2014).

He is married to the former Katie Petrino. The couple have four children with son Beau and daughter Lainey, in addition to twins Jacob and Kailey born in the spring of 2022. 

"Ryan's infectious energy and sincere willingness to want our job was apparent," said Moats. "His enthusiasm was contagious in what he believes we can accomplish here. He believes in Springfield, and our fan base, and our university. He knows we have what it takes to compete nationally and be contenders in the Missouri Valley."

Before coming to Missouri State, Beard spent the 2019 season at Central Michigan University as the special teams and safeties coach for head coach Jim McElwain. He joined the Central Michigan staff in February of 2019 and helped lead the Chippewas to an 8-6 campaign on a defensive secondary that created 13 interceptions.

Beard served as an assistant at Louisville during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, starting as the defensive backs coach and in quality control before moving on to become the Cardinals' linebackers coach and their co-special teams coordinator. Among those who Beard coached at Louisville are Jaire Alexander, who was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL draft; 2014 Jim Thorpe Award winner Gerod Holliman; and James Sample, a former member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As the defensive backs coach at Western Kentucky in 2016, Beard helped lead the Hilltoppers to the Conference USA championship and a win in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Beard was a standout defensive back at Western Kentucky from 2007-11. He was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection and was named to the league's All-Freshman squad and its All-Academic team. In 2011, he earned the Western Kentucky Iron Man Award. 

A native of Bowling Green, Ky., Beard was a four-year letterwinner at Bowling Green High for coach Kevin Wallace, where his efforts helped the Purples advance to the state 3A championship contest in each of his last two years.

Beard's hire was approved by the Missouri State University Board of Governors on Dec. 15. His initial contract is a four-year agreement through Jan. 14, 2027 with an annual base salary of $257,000, plus additional incentives and benefits.

(MSU Press Release)