WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Missouri State University Board of Governors formally approved the contract extensions of four head coaches here Friday at its June meeting and also approved the university’s plan for the head coaching transition in men’s soccer.
The following head coaching extensions and primary modifications were approved:
- Dana Ford (men’s basketball) – Term extended two years through March 31, 2025
- Keith Guttin (baseball) – Term extended one year through June 30, 2023
- Bobby Petrino (football) – Term extended through Jan. 14, 2026 with new base salary of $325,000.
- Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (women’s basketball) – Term extended two years through April 16, 2026. Base salary increased to $300,000 for year one of the new contract with incremental increases for each year thereafter through year five. Additional adjustments were made to her achievement payments.
All pay increases will be funded through private donations.
The Board also approved the transition plan for men’s soccer, which will commence at the end of the current calendar year upon the retirement of head coach Jon Leamy. Current associate head coach Michael Seabolt was named the head coach designate and will take over the Bears program on Jan. 1, 2022, becoming the program’s fifth head coach.
Leamy will begin his 30th season as Missouri State’s head men’s soccer coach this fall and has accumulated a record of 292-187-66 (.596) with five trips to the NCAA Tournament, nine Missouri Valley Conference regular-season titles, and seven MVC Coaching Staff of the Year honors during his tenure. He is also the Missouri Valley Conference’s all-time conference wins leader (111) and has led the Bears to back-to-back MVC titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2020-21 NCAA Round of 16.
Over the past two seasons, the Bears have accumulated a 30-3-1 overall record and have achieved national top 10 rankings in both campaigns. Likewise, the Bears have been honored with 19 all-conference players in the last two seasons, racked up a 17-1 conference ledger, and manufactured a 17-game win streak – the nation’s longest since 2009.
Leamy became MSU’s head coach in 1992. His time at Missouri State has also included four Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors, two MVC Tournament titles, 11 trips to the MVC championship game, 143 All-MVC players, 91 MVC Scholar-Athlete Team selections, and 13 Academic All-Americans. He is currently 23rd among active NCAA Division I men’s soccer coaches in career victories.
Seabolt joined the Missouri State staff in 2007 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2009. This fall will begin his 15th season on the Springfield campus, having been a vital part of four MVC Coaching Staff of the Year awards, including 2009, 2013, 2019 and the 2020-21 seasons.
Prior to coming to MSU, Seabolt had coaching stops at West Virginia, Tampa and Elon, in addition to stints with the MLS Colorado Rapids and Tampa Bay Mutiny staffs. Seabolt, who is a USSF “A” licensed coach, graduated cum laude with a degree in political science from Trinity University in 1996 and is a member of the Phi Kappa Beta honor society. He graduated from the Duke University School of Law in 2000.
Quoting Director of Athletics Kyle Moats
“Jon is the consummate coach. He cares about his players and their well-being. His relationship with his former players is genuine. He is always proud to be the coach at Missouri State. His success will be measured more by what he did off the field than on. He’s a perfect example of being a great teacher, mentor and an ambassador of our institution. We’re fortunate to have one more year to enjoy his outstanding leadership.”
Quoting Coach Jon Leamy
“Missouri State is and always will be our home. The season ahead should provide a lot of excitement for us, and we’re hoping for more championships and another opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament.
“We’re grateful to the faculty and staff here at Missouri State for making this such a great place to work and raise a family. We’re especially grateful for having worked with so many fantastic players and the best college soccer alumni in the country.
“We’re excited about the transition and the future of the program. Having Coach Seabolt waiting in the wings will provide the boys with ideal continuity to move the program forward. He has been here 15 years and helped build us into a nationally-elite program. The Missouri State University men’s soccer program will be in great hands.”
Quoting Coach Michael Seabolt
“I am thrilled to be chosen as the successor to lead the Missouri State University men’s soccer program. There are many people to thank, but that list begins with Coach Leamy. He hired me and has given me tremendous license to grow over the last 15 years. Coach Leamy and I have had a successful partnership, and I look forward to one more season together.
“I would also like to thank President Clif Smart, Director of Athletics Kyle Moats, and Associate Director of Athletics Casey Hunt for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of men’s soccer. Programs are only successful when there is a synergy between student-athletes, coaches, and administration. We are lucky to have that here at Missouri State, and it starts at the top with their leadership.
“This job is about the student-athletes. My favorite part of the job is seeing these men grow and develop lifelong relationships. I have had the pleasure of working with so many amazing men the last 15 years and connecting with so many more that came before. Staying at Missouri State to continue the tradition that has been built and grow this program is exciting. Together the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and community have put this program on the national map and we have every intention of going further. We represent an amazing university, and we will continue to do our part in telling the story of what a great place this is to get an education and pursue excellence!”
