Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel will resign to become the head coach at Missouri State, the Springfield News-Leader reported Saturday.

Steckel, one of five finalists for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach in 2014, helped develop a defense that tied for sixth in the NCAA in sacks and led the team to an SEC East title despite heavy personnel losses last offseason.

Steckel, a coach at Missouri for the last 14 seasons, also coached under Gary Pinkel at Toledo in the early 1990s. According to USA Today, Steckel made $600,000 in 2014 and likely will have to take a pay cut to pursue his dream of becoming a head coach.

The long-time linebackers coach (2001-08) since has added defensive coordinator and associate head coach to his duties at Mizzou. Steckel has helped the Tigers produce 22 all-conference linebackers in 14 years.

This has the possibility of being one of the coolest moves of the season. Reports out of Missouri are the Mizzou DC Dave Steckel might… — FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) December 13, 2014

Stec might accept head coaching position at Missouri State. The man has earned a head coaching opportunity & would be great hire. — FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) December 13, 2014

The consensus is that Steckel would be a terrific hire for the Missouri State Bears, which compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference along with FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.

Missouri State is scheduled to hold a press conference at 6 p.m. ET Sunday.

If Steckel leaves, it’s likely that Pinkel would give strong consideration to defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski, responsible for producing some of the fiercest pass rushers in college football in his 23 seasons alongside Pinkel. Kuligowski has developed three NFL first-round picks since 2009, with a fourth likely to come in 2015 with Shane Ray.