May 8, 2015
SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State University head football coach Dave Steckel filled a key vacancy on his coaching staff Friday with the announcement of Justin Kramer as the program's new assistant coach.
The native of Liberty, Mo., will coach the Bears' tight ends and special teams. He was a four-year letterman at Southern Illinois University from 2002-05 where the standout offensive lineman was part of three Saluki NCAA playoff teams and three Missouri Valley Football Conference titles at the Carbondale school. He later spent 2008-12 as an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State before joining Gary Pinkel's staff at Missouri where he has worked since 2012.
He was a key defensive analyst for the Tigers and worked under Stec who was defensive coordinator for Mizzou at the time. Kramer was also the assistant director of recruiting during his tenure at Missouri.
"Justin brings a wealth of experience and tremendous work ethic to our program," Stec explained. "He played in this league and has coached at this level, but he also understands our system and what we expect. I look forward to having him on our staff at Missouri State."
At SEMO, Kramer coached four first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference offensive linemen. He also mentored three All-Americans, including Sean Middleton, the Remmington Award winner as the nation's top center in 2010, and NFL product Edgar Jones, currently with the Cleveland Browns.
Kramer's offensive line paved the way for the nation's No. 3 rushing offense in 2010. The Redhawks averaged 265.1 yards per game and led the nation in fewest sacks allowed, giving up just six in 12 games. The following season, the Redhawks ranked 11th nationally in rushing offense (233.09).
Kramer initially joined the Southeast coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2006, where he worked with the defensive line. He also served as the team's director of football operations for a year and a half under head coach Tony Samuel.
In nearly three years in Columbia, Kramer helped oversee scouting and recruiting and assisted Stec and other defensive coaches with scripting and practice planning. He also helped coordinate Mizzou Football Camps and is certified for all NCAA recruiting.
He was part of one of the SEC's top defensive units the last three seasons and was part of the 2014 Cotton Bowl and 2015 Citrus Bowl staffs for the Tigers.
As a prep standout, Kramer played at Liberty High School, where he was named second-team all-state and first-team all-metro as a senior. He started three years at left tackle and was an all-conference selection every season for one of the most successful teams in the Kansas City metro area. In addition, he pitched for Liberty's baseball team which won the 2002 MSHSAA state championship.
He and his wife, Killian, will begin their transition to Springfield next week where his coaching duties are set to begin Monday.
Kramer replaces former wide receivers John Egorugwu who left Missouri State on April 16 for an opportunity in the National Football League where he is serving as a defensive coaching assistant for John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens. Current Bears' assistant Mack Brown will change assignments and move from tight ends to wide receivers.
#MSUBears
