Western Football Sets Coaching Staff

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western Football Opened Camp with all coaches in place. The Griffons brought on Wes Bell as defensive line coach. Bell replaces former defensive coordinator Matt Williamson, who resigned last week to take a position on the football coaching staff at the University of Central Arkansas. Bell comes to MWSU from Minnesota State University-Moorhead where he coached for two years. In his first year and a half at Moorhead, Bell was the defensive line coach, special teams coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator. In the spring of 2007, Bell moved to defensive coordinator and coached the inside linebackers. Current Defensive Backs Coach Regi Trotter takes over as Defensive Coordinator. Its a job hes never done, and didnt expect to do this season. " It happened on such short notice, its probably the first time in my life I felt stress." joked Trotter. Head Coach Jerry Partridge, who also coaches Linebackers, says hell make the final decisions on defense. "Reggie will assist me and be our motivational leader type of guy." said Partridge. " Im not sure who will be calling the defense yet. It depends on his comfort zone." Trotter understands it will be a transition. " As I get more comfortable with it, Im sure he (Partridge) will let me off the leash a bit, and hopefully, I can put my stamp on this defense." Trotter, a 1998 Western Alum, has been an assistant coach for the Griffons since 2005.