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Sikeston welcomes three new coaches
SIKESTON — Fans may notice some new faces roaming the sidelines this season for the Sikeston Bulldogs football team.
Head coach Treston Pulley added a trio of new coaches to his varsity staff this offseason that includes Josh Freeman, Traveon Dennis and Austin Haley.
“I got some great guys who were all college football players and we’re all ready to put in the work, “Pulley said. “They’re all doing well and fitting right in. They’re all local guys from the southeast Missouri region and they understand the culture and the tradition of the Sikeston way.”
All three coaches are under the age of 30 and bring a lot of energy and effort.
“The kids have responded well and have really gravitated to them,” Pulley said. “They’re all young guys which helped them relate to the players and the players relate to them. Their youth helps a lot in that regard.”
Freeman will serve as the team’s new defensive coordinator after spending the past six seasons at Kelly High School.
Pulley and Freeman have known each other since they were competing against one another in high school. The pair graduated high school the same year from Sikeston and Poplar Bluff, respectively.
“We always stayed in touch throughout college and beyond,” Pulley said. “It just kind of worked out this year.”
Freeman went on to play at Southeast Missouri State University and for Team USA against international competition in Mexico and China.
Freeman said he grew up knowing he wanted to be a coach.
“It's what I was called to do,” he said.
Dennis is a 2012 Sikeston graduate who went on to play at Lindenwood-Belleville University. He will serve as the team’s defensive line coach.
“I wanted [Dennis] on my staff because of his passion, enthusiasm and love for the game,” Pulley said. “He’s a great guy and he’ll be a great asset to the program.”
Dennis got his start as a coach in the Youth Empowerment 573 Lincoln League in Sikeston.
“I am excited to join the high school staff because of my overall love for the game and coaching,” Dennis said. “I love seeing kids become better athletes and grow into well-rounded young men. I’m also an alumnus who bleeds Sikeston red and black.”
Hailey, the team’s new wide receivers coach, is a Charleston native who played college football at Culver-Stockton College.
“[Hailey] really understands what we are trying to build and accomplish here,” Pulley said. “I’m really drawn to former college football players on the staff, but his knowledge of the game is really what stands out with him.”
After earning his degree Hailey returned to Charleston for his first teaching and coaching position.
“COVID happened and unfortunately it didn’t last long,” Hailey said. “After that first year I was confused and didn’t know if I wanted to teach anymore but my wife talked me into trying to substitute for Sikeston and see if I was sure if I was done with teaching. I immediately fell in love with the district and felt at home. They welcomed me and helped me grow as an educator.
“After that, I knew I was meant to be a teacher and wanted to expand into a coach for a sport that I love and have passion for,” he continued. “Coach Pulley pulled me to stay at Sikeston because I can see the fire in him and the passion he brings for the sport. I knew I wanted to coach football here because it felt like home.”