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Running backs coach
John Tatum is in his fourth season with the Lions after spending three seasons
as defensive backs coach at Upper Iowa University, where he coached a pair of
all-conference defensive secondary players. At Missouri Southern, Tatum, the
older brother of head coach Bart Tatum, mentors the Lion running backs. In 2007,
Tatum coached the Southern running backs to a breakout season where they gained
nearly triple the yardage from a season prior and received nearly 1,700 yards
from senior Alley Broussard and freshman Renard Johnson. Prior to joining the Upper Iowa staff in 2003, Tatum assisted for two seasons (2001-02) with the Northwest Missouri State coaching staff as a wide receivers coach, while obtaining his master's degree in physical education. During his stay at Northwest, Tatum was the position coach for Jamaica Rector, a four-time first-team All-MIAA performer and an eventual free agent NFL signee with the Dallas Cowboys. During his two years at NWMSU, the Bearcats posted a 19-5 record and won the 2002 MIAA championship before advancing to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. A native of Cooper, Texas, Tatum was a quarterback and defensive back at Cooper High School. He later earned bachelor's degrees in physical education and history in 1997 from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He went on to coach various high school sports, including football, basketball, baseball and track during stays at Roxton, Texas and Caddo Mills, Texas. |
