Lions Exiting Coach and Six Throwers to Arizona

New Coaching Departure

The Missouri Southern State track and field program is bracing for a major overhaul as associate head coach Brian Allen steps away to join the University of Arizona’s coaching staff. Allen, recognized as the 2026 NCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year, cultivated talent for over a decade, guiding athletes that include 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell. Arizona’s head coach Andrew Dubs highlighted Allen’s reputation, calling him one of the top throws mentors in the entire NCAA and praising the personal bonds he forges with his students.

Six Star Throwers Follow Allen

A group of six high‑caliber throwers is moving from Joplin to Tucson alongside their former coach, each bringing national‑level credentials to the Wildcats. The women’s entries feature Adrianne Casey, whose 172‑ft‑11‑in javelin set a personal best and earned a DII national title, and Keilee Johnson, who posted a 179‑ft‑5‑in throw and led the nation for much of the season. Dailynn VanDeren captured the DII women’s shot‑put championship, also qualifying in the hammer, and posted a personal best of 56‑ft‑10.75‑in.

On the men’s side, Gabe Ford secured a dual qualification in hammer and discus, winning the MIAA hammer title with a 213‑ft‑4‑in throw and earning a 2024 national fifth‑place finish in discus. Jamale Williams punched his ticket for both discus and shot put at the national meet, placing sixth in discus in 2025 and 14th in shot put, while also claiming the 2025 MIAA shot‑put crown at 59‑ft‑11‑in. Tyson Williams, a Lamar product, set a 162‑ft discus mark and posted a top‑four weight‑throw performance indoors that season.

Brian Allen’s Coaching Legacy

Brian Allen’s résumé includes a 2009 shot‑put runner‑up finish at Pittsburg State and a coaching pedigree that spans 12 years at Missouri Southern. He guided 12 NCAA national champions, 104 All‑Americans and 51 conference winners, and his athletes amassed 19 entries on the NCAA All‑Time Top 25 list. Allen has been honored three times as the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Assistant Coach of the Year and five times as the USTFCCCA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year.

What Lies Ahead for the Lions

With the departure of a celebrated coach and a cohort of elite throwers, Missouri Southern must quickly piece together a replacement plan to keep its third‑place team standing intact. The loss of Allen’s program contributions will be felt especially in the men’s and women’s team totals from the recent DII outdoor championships. Observers will watch whether the university can attract new talent to fill the void and maintain its competitive edge in upcoming seasons.