However, Beard's old role reportedly will not stay vacant for long. Missouri State is naming SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods its next coach on a five-year contract, according to a Thursday afternoon report from Pete Thamel of ESPN.

When Petrino joined his father in Springfield five years ago, he also brought with him two brothers-in-law: L.D. Scott, the Bears’ current defensive coordinator, and Beard, who held the D.C. role under the elder Petrino before becoming head coach.

The Missouri State Bears will make history when they play in the Xbox Bowl on Thursday against Arkansas State, marking the team’s first FBS bowl game appearance.

Depending on the results of Missouri State's coaching search, the Xbox Bowl could be the end of the Petrino family era at MSU. They changed everything

Missouri State takes on the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles after Keith Palek III scored 23 points in Missouri State's 75-57 loss to the Xavier Musketeers.

After a record year in Springfield, Missouri State head football coach Ryan Beard is in line to be the next head coach at Coastal Carolina.

Jacob Clark was "pretty close" to leaving Missouri State, but he stayed to lead the Bears through a thrilling season.

Xavier overcame a sluggish first half to cruise past Missouri State for its fifth straight win heading into Big East play.