ASSISTANT COACHES H.T. Kinney begins his second season as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Missouri Southern. He came to Southern after a season at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater. In his first season as the offensive coordinator, Kinnney saw nine Lions named All-MIAA, with running back Chris Barnwell earning All-Region and All-American honors. Giresse Forchu was an Academic All-District selection and the Lions ended the 2013 campaign as Division II’s leader in time of possession, holding onto the ball for an average of 35:14 each game. Southern also ranked second nationally in both rushing yardage and fewest passes intercepted. In all, the Lions ranked in the top ten nationally in nine different categories, while ranking 14th in turnovers lost. The Lions, in one fewer game, destroyed the old rushing record set in 2012 (3,043) by rushing for 3,684 yards in 2013. The team also broke a record set in 2012 in largest gain per rush by averaging 6.2 yards per carry, while also breaking the record for rushing attempts with 597. The Lions broke the single-game rushing record with 607 yards put up against Lincoln in 2013, besting the old record by more than 100 yards. “I’m very excited to bring in a coach of H.T.’s caliber to our program,” Daye said. “I’ve known him for a long time and have had the chance to work with him on a few different occasions. He’s a very loyal man and will be a great fit for both the MSSU football program, as well as the Joplin community.” <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 48 2014 Missouri Southern Football mssulions.com missourisouthernlions @mososports In 2012 at UWW, Kinney helped the Warhawks to a 7-3 mark and a 5-2 record in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. UWW threw the ball for 1,688 yards and rushed for 1,872, while adding 13 touchdowns both rushing and passing. Before UWW, Kinney was the run game coordinator, as well as the tight ends and fullbacks coach for both the 2010 and 2011 seasons at Liberty, his second stint at the school. Prior to that, he spent eight years as a coach at Nichols State University, serving as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach during his tenure. He was an assistant under Daye in Daye’s final season at Nicholls. At Nichols, the Colonels ranked in the top 15 in Division I FCS in rushing offense each season. In 2005 the team advanced to the FCS playoffs where they rushed for 3,648 yards and 38 touchdowns, and were ranked second nationally. Prior to Nicholls, Kinney coached two seasons at Hofstra as the running backs coach, but before that, he served his first term at Liberty, coaching seven seasons on the offensive side of the ball. There he was an assistant with Daye under Sam Rutigliano. Prior to his first stint at Liberty, Kinney coached at Wagner for two years as secondary/special teams coach (1991-92). In 1989 and 1990, Kinney spent two years in an Italian professional league, where he was the defensive coordinator with the Bologna Rebels in 1989 and the head coach for the Tolentino Orange Blades in 1990. Kinney broke into the college coaching rankings in 1988, when he served as an assistant coach at Monmouth College, where he worked with the linebackers and special teams. Kinney is a 1988 graduate of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he was a four-year starter for the Pioneers, earning his undergraduate degree in health and physical education. In 1993, Kinney earned a master’s degree in education from Wagner. A native of Monmouth, Ill., Kinney is married to the former Christine Richard. The couple has two children: a daughter, Colby (19) and a son, Christian (10). HT Kinney Assistant Head Coach Offensive Coordinator Rashad Watson is in his third season as an assistant coach at Missouri Southern and was elevated to the post of defensive coordinator in 2014. Watson will be responsible for running the defense at Southern. The 2013 MSSU defense ranked second in the MIAA in total defense, allowing just 326 yards per game and the team ranked fifth in scoring defense, allowing just 23.3 points per game. The 233 total points allowed was third-lowest in the league. Elijah Swen ranked second in the MIAA in passes defended with 1.2 per game. He came to Southern after serving two seasons coaching the defense at Benedict College. While at Benedict, the secondary at Benedict led all of Division II in interceptions at the end of the regular season. Free safety Marquez Gibson led the team with six while being selected first-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Previously, Watson came to Benedict by way of Nicholls State University. He coached the defensive backs at Nicholls having two players selected to the All-Conference Teams. He also held the positions of NFL liaison, making way for Antonio Robinson’s free agent selection and Robinson later earned a Super Bowl ring while be a part of the Green Bay Packers. Watson spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with Morehouse College, specializing with the secondary and assisting with special teams. During his time there, his unit produced the SIAC’s 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, Jeffrey Cargile, and three All-Conference selections. Prior to his stint with Morehouse College, Watson spent five years coaching on the prep level in Alabama. He spent 2004-05 with Anniston High, coaching both the offensive and defensive backfields, and then moved on to Midfield High where he served as the school’s defensive coordinator. Watson held that post until 2007. Watson played on the collegiate level at Alabama A&M from 1997-2001, and was a four-year letter winner, earning a starting role as a redshirt freshman. The Bulldogs’ 2000 defensive unit put together one of the best season’s in school history, finishing eighth nationally in total defense. The 2000 unit still holds the NCAA record for least amount of rushing yards allowed in a season (39.7 yards/game). Watson is married to the former Katrina Woods of Greensboro, Ala. The couple have two sons, Amari and Aiden. Rashad Watson Defensive Coordinator
2014 Missouri Southern Football
To see the actual publication please follow the link above