Missouri State introduced former Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel as its new head coach Sunday and if his news conference is any indication, Bears fans can look forward to plenty of color from their new leader.
The Bears, who play in the Football Championship Subdivision, have only five winning seasons in their past 20 years.
But Steckel, 57, isn't worried about Missouri State's less than stellar history in football.
"I don't care about the past, I care about the future," Steckel told the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader. "If you want to know how ignorant I am, I don't know their record last year, and I don't need you to tell me, because I don't care. I care about what our record is next year."
Missouri State, which finished 4-8 in 2014, plays in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, which has two teams in the FCS semifinals, North Dakota State and Illinois State.
Steckel isn't worried about the Bears playing in arguably the best FCS conference, though.
"I just left the SEC, dude," Steckel said. "So that's football, that's called competition, and I have great respect [for the MVFC]."
Academics is Steckel's No. 1 priority at Missouri State.
"They are going to graduate from this university," Steckel said. "And if they don't want to graduate and just want to come here and play football, I'm sorry but we're not going to recruit those athletes. We want athletes that are dying to get their degree. Dying to go to class and to get an education. This isn't lip service."
This is Steckel's first head coaching job. Steckel, who served in the United States Marines in 1975-1978, served on Gary Pinkel's staff at Missouri since 2001. He coached linebackers during his entire tenure at Missouri and became the defensive coordinator in 2009.
"You get into coaching as a young coach and you dream of being a head coach," Steckel said. "Everybody wants to hire those young, good-looking offensive guys because they can score points. It's not often a 57-year-old gray-haired guy gets an opportunity. The good Lord blessed me."
Not a fan
Apparently, John McGrath of the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune doesn't think Kendrys Morales is worth $17 million over two years.
That's the contract the designated hitter received from the Kansas City Royals last week. Morales played with the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners last season. He hit .218 with 8 home runs and 42 RBI.
"Pro sports contracts long ago stopped amazing me. Athletes, after all, are entertainers, and if Dwayne Johnson can pull in $52 million for a year's worth of beating up stunt men in action movies, it makes LeBron James' two-year, $42.1 million contract look like a steal for the Cleveland Cavaliers," McGrath wrote.
"But, still...
"A pay raise for Kendrys Morales?
"What's next? A Christmas bonus for Percy Harvin? Kennedy Center honors for Donald Sterling? A lifetime achievement Oscar award for Dwayne Johnson?
"Kendrys Morales stunk up Safeco Field in 2014, stunk up everywhere else, and yet is empowered for a 2015 comeback by the ultimate compliment.
"A pay raise."
'Honest' headlines
From the satirical sports website sportspickle.com's weekly "Honest NFL Headlines" series:
• "Genius Chip Kelly realizing good QBs, defenses help in football"
• "Jim Harbaugh: It seems my players forgot I'm a great coach."
• "Fitzpatrick breaks leg; Report: His leg went to Harvard"
• "Sorry, months ago we thought Bears-Saints might be good"
• "Death, taxes, Browns season death"
SPORTS QUIZ
Kendrys Morales made his major league debut in 2006 with what team?
ANSWER
The Los Angeles Angels
Sports on 12/16/2014