I just heard that John Ware, head coach of MSSU, died of an apparent heart attack this morning. That is awful news. I've never been a big fan of his. I found him to be arrogant, brash, loud, and hypocritical regarding game situations and other football-related issues.

However, hearing about him from his friends, family, and his players, I understand that they were fiercely loyal to him and his program, just as he was fiercely loyal and protective of his players and assistant staff. No doubt he will be sorely missed. I never met him.

He was trying to rebuild the rivalry between Pitt State and MSSU, which has been extremely lopsided in recent years. The shouting match at the end of the 2004 game, a 59-7 PSU triumph, caused a lot of bad blood on the internet message boards. Whether or not it was premeditated or just a simple loss of his temper, Ware personally re-ignited the hatred between the schools which was recently dormant.

I will always remember him for that.

And though I don't like Missouri Southern's football team, I still hope they can rally around their lost coach and play hard the way he would want them to- the way he would EXPECT them to.

Godspeed, Coach Ware.