MSU Athletics Hall of Fame
DENNIS O'HAGAN
Football, 1976-1980
Dennis O’Hagan was a standout linebacker for the football Bears at the beginning of the Missouri State coaching tenure of Rich Johanningmeier. A Kansas City area product from Belton High, O’Hagan’s play in the Bears’ defensive unit was severely curtailed his first two years by a succession of injuries but he made up for it with spectacular performances in his final three seasons. His 226 total tackles as a senior in 1980 remains the MSU single season record as he racked up double-digit performances in every game to collect all-conference honorable mention. The 145 tackles he logged in 1979 is the ninth best season total for a Bears’ defender and he added two recoveries, three sacks and one interception. O’Hagan is also fourth in MSU career tackles and he served as an MSU co-captain as a senior. The Bears turned in a perfect 6-0 league mark to win the MIAA title in an overall 8-3 season in 1978. The Bruins were 7-4 in 1979 and finished 6-5 in 1980 with a 5-1 league record in the final MSU season in the MIAA before starting their Division I move. UMR won the league title, beating the Bears 27-16 for the crown.
