Rob Christophel, a veteran with more than 20 years of offensive coaching experience at the college level, has been named the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on the staff of head football coach Terry Allen at Missouri State University.

    Christophel begins his new duties immediately and his appointment is subject to the approval of the Missouri State Board of Governors at the board’s next regular meeting. He replaces Steve Brickey who resigned at the end of the 2006 Missouri State season to assume a similar position at Samford University.

    The newest Bear coach comes to Missouri State after five seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. ULL ranked seventh in Division I-A rushing offense in 2005 while leading the Sun Belt Conference in nine offensive categories. In 2006, the Ragin’ Cajuns were 14th in I-A and first in the Sun Belt in rushing offense and second in the Sun Belt in total offense.

    From 1997 to 2002, Christophel was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., where the offensive units he guided were among the top 10 in passing offense and total offense in the NAIA in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Christophel held a similar position from 1992 to 1997 on the I-AA level at Idaho State University of the Big Sky Conference. He was wide receivers coach three years and quarterbacks/receivers coach for five years in a tenure at I-AA Murray State University of the Ohio Valley from 1984 to 1992.

    A native of Reading, Ohio, Christophel majored in business administration in graduating in 1984 from Austin Peay State University. He completed 20 hours of graduate course work while on the staff at Murray State.

    Missouri State is a member of the Division I-AA Gateway Football Conference and 2007 will be Allen’s second season at the Bears’ helm.