Missouri State coach announces assistants

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — New Missouri State coach Dave Steckel has hired four assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Mario Verduzco and defensive coordinator Marcus Yokeley.

Steckel was hired Sunday to his first head coaching job after 14 years under Missouri's Gary Pinkel. He also added former Missouri player Kenji Jackson (safeties) and Chris Morton (defensive line), and retained Sean Coughlin (offensive line) from former coach Terry Allen's staff.

Verduzco had been co-offensive coordinator at Northern Iowa, which won six Missouri Valley titles during his 14 seasons.

Yokeley was defensive line coach at Lindenwood and is a former Missouri graduate assistant.

The assistants were announced on Wednesday.