Missouri Southern State Football
Offensive Coaching Staff
Matt Barrett
Offensive Coordinator
Matt Barrett is in his second season with the Lions after serving ten years at Catawba College. He will be the team's offensive coordinator and will coach the quarterbacks.
Last season, as the Lions' offensive coordinator, Southern threw for over 2,500 yards passing and rushed for nearly 1,800 yards on the ground. Center Ian Saxton was named second-team All-Conference, while running back Cornell Gedward, as well as receivers Ne'Ronte Threatt and Landon Zerkel were both named honorable mention All-MIAA.
In 2007, Barrett coached AFCA All-America quarterback Brad Roach, who was also the SAC Player of the Year. He also helped produce two of the top three single-season receivers in school history. Catawba's 81 touchdowns ranked second nationally and the offense set school records in scoring, yards per game, total yards and numberous passing marks.
Barrett came to Catawba as an offensive assistant in 2000. He coached the defensive scout team and was responsible for opponent scouting. He was the running back coach in 2001 and 2002 and coordinated the running game. Barrett coached the quarterbacks and coordinated the passing game in 2003 and 2004, while serving as the co-offensive coordinator.
Barrett began coaching at Orange County High School where he coached the defensive backs and special teams. He graduated from N.C. State in 1999 with a degree in business management and a minor in coaching education. He was active in Campus Crusade for Christ and Athletes in Action.
John Tatum
Running Backs Coach
Running backs coach John Tatum is in his sixth season with the Lions after spending three seasons as defensive backs coach at Upper Iowa University, where he coached a pair of all-conference defensive secondary players.
At Missouri Southern, Tatum, the older brother of head coach Bart Tatum, mentors the Lion running backs. Last season, Tatum helped lead one of the most productive running back corps in recent memory at Southern, as the Lions rushed for nearly 1,800 yards on the ground. Redshirt freshman Steven Sumpter started the season as the starter and had 364 yards and four touchdowns in just five games before an ankle injury ended his season. The Lions then turned to Cornell Gedward as the sophomore picked right up and gained 884 yards and three touchdowns, en route to an honorable mention All-MIAA selection.
In 2007, Tatum coached the Southern running backs to a breakout season where they gained nearly triple the yardage from a season prior and received nearly 1,700 yards from senior Alley Broussard and freshman Renard Johnson.
Prior to joining the Upper Iowa staff in 2003, Tatum assisted for two seasons (2001-02) with the Northwest Missouri State coaching staff as a wide receivers coach, while obtaining his master's degree in physical education. During his stay at Northwest, Tatum was the position coach for Jamaica Rector, a four-time first-team All-MIAA performer and an eventual free agent NFL signee with the Dallas Cowboys.
During his two years at NWMSU, the Bearcats posted a 19-5 record and won the 2002 MIAA championship before advancing to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.
A native of Cooper, Texas, Tatum was a quarterback and defensive back at Cooper High School. He later earned bachelor's degrees in physical education and history in 1997 from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He went on to coach various high school sports, including football, basketball, baseball and track during stays at Roxton, Texas and Caddo Mills, Texas.
Lamart Barrett
Wide Receivers
Lamart Barrett is in his second season as an assistant coach for the Missouir Southern football team coaching the wide receivers.
In 2010 as a first-year coach at Southern, Barrett helped coach wide receivers Ne'Ronte Threatt and Landon Zerkel to All-MIAA seasons. Threatt caught 59 passes for 763 yards and four touchdowns, while Zerkel caught 52 for 759 yards and five scores. Overall the Lions' receiving corps caught 14 touchdowns and had 2550 yards through the air.
A 2006 graduate of North Carolina State, Barrett served as an assistant on the Wolfpack coaching staff. He worked as the recruiting intern for a season before being named the video graduate assistant in 2008-09 and also worked closely with the team's wide receiving corps.
Barrett had a four-year playing career at North Carolina State where he started three years at wide receiver. While at NC State, Barrett was the 2006 Michael J Hardy Award winner that is given anually to the student-athlete that peerforms consistently above his ability. After college, Barrett was signed as a free agent and invited to training camp with the St. Louis Rams but injuries cut his pro playing career short.
Barrett has a degree in Parks Recreation and Tourism from NC State and is working toward his master in sports management, also at NC State.
Originally from Miami, Fla., Barrett played high school football and basketball at Miami Springs High School where he lettered two years in each sport. After high school Barrett attended Avon Old Farms Prep School in Connecticut where he played football, basketball and ran track.
Gary Bass
Offensive Linemen / Tigh Ends
Gary Bass is in his second year with the Missouri Southern Lions Football coaching staff and coaches the offensive line and tight ends. He comes to MSSU by way of East Rowan High School where he served as the Offensive Coordinator and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator as well as teaching in the special education department. He coached at East Rowan High for 3 years and while there the team enjoyed a 25-12 record and he lead a 2009 rushing offense that average 295 yards per game.
In 2010, Bass helped coach All-MIAA selection Ian Saxton in his first year as a center. Saxton has also been named a pre-season All-American for the 2011 season. The Lions rushed for nearly 1,800 yards behind the Bass led offensive line.
Gary played college football for current MSSU offensive coordinator Matt Barrett at Catawba College in North Carolina. He started for three seasons at guard and while there won two conference championships, made three trips to the national playoffs in division II, as well as one South regional championship. His teams overall record while paying was 44-13.
Gary has a Bachelors degree in business marketing and holds a USAW weight lifting certification. Gary is the son of Gary and Cynthia Bass. His hometown is Marion, N.C. He married the former Melaney Porter on March 6th of 2010.
