Missouri State head coach Ryan Beard is gearing up for bowl season after the Bears finished 7–5, and he isn’t shy about breaking down the year. Beard called the La Tech loss “disgusting,” noting the Bears were just a few plays away from an eight- or nine-win season. Still, he praised the team’s toughness, physicality, and momentum heading into their upcoming bowl game.

Full interview with Coach Beard is below:

A major focus of the interview was the crucial role of the Missouri State Players Association (MSPA) and NIL support during MSU’s move to FBS. Beard says the MSPA has kept the program competitive by helping retain key players like Jacob Clark and standout running back Ramone Green, whose breakout season came after earning a scholarship through the collective.

Beard also addressed the challenges of modern recruiting, calling for better rules around the transfer portal and stricter guardrails on agents contacting players through social media. He supports shifting the season to start on “week zero,” ending around New Year’s, followed by a unified window for coaching changes, the portal, and signing day.

Missouri State’s 2024 recruiting class includes 16 new Bears, highlighted by De Smet offensive lineman Santiago Castillo, a 325-pound, athletic prospect with strong upside. Beard emphasized that MSU will remain a “grassroots recruiting program,” focusing on high school athletes while being selective and strategic in the transfer portal.

With bowl prep underway and roster spots still open for February, Coach Beard keeps things simple, right down to his hoodie rotation, as the Bears push forward into a new era of Missouri State football.