LAKELAND, Fla.—Keith Barefield, the first head football coach in Southeastern University program history, has resigned.
Barefield guided the Fire to a record of 44-13 (.771) over the past six seasons and led SEU to four conference championships and two NAIA Football Championship Series appearances. During his tenure, Southeastern has never finished lower than second in the conference standings.
"As I stated from day one, I have always seen the potential of small college football in Lakeland's strategic location on the I-4 corridor, and if SEU ever started a football program, I wanted to be the first in line to coach," said Barefield. "Dr. Kent Ingle, Dr. Chris Owen and
Drew Watson afforded me that opportunity and I am honored for the confidence they displayed in my ability to grow this program from the ground up."
"Presently, I feel that it is time for me to move forward in my career to new challenges and allow another to pick up the mantle and take Fire Football into the future," said Barefield. " The past seven years have been a very special and memorable time in my life."
In his 21 seasons as a head coach, Barefield is the only coach to have guided three different programs to the NAIA Football Championship Series. His overall record is 144-64-2 (.690) with his win total ranking seventh in the NAIA among active head coaches. Barefield came to Lakeland in 2012 after stops at Evangel University and Northwestern Oklahoma State to help lay the groundwork for the first season of competition for the Fire in 2014.
"We are grateful for Coach Barefield and his efforts in building Southeastern University's football program from the ground up," said Southeastern University President, Dr. Kent Ingle. "We wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life."
Barefield was a two-time Coach of the Year during his time with the Fire, and helped develop three AFCA All-Americans, 36 All-Conference players and 14 Academic All-District selections. Additionally, the Fire were near or at the top of the conference in Academic All-Conference selections each season.
"We will be forever grateful for the foundation and winning tradition that Coach Barefield has established for the Fire during his tenure at Southeastern," said Executive Vice President Chris Owen.
During the 2019 season, the Fire posted an 8-1 record and finished the season ranked 14th in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll.
"From day one, Keith has worked tirelessly to build Fire football into a winning program that does things the right way," said
Drew Watson, Director of Athletics at Southeastern. "I have enjoyed the privilege of working with him as we have tackled challenges and shared victories together. I am grateful for his dedication and commitment to our program over the last seven years."
Offensive Coordinator
Norman Joseph will serve as the interim head coach.
"No one can accomplish this type of success alone, and I thank all the coaches and players who bought into our vision and joined me on this journey," Barefield added. "I am especially grateful to the 'Bonny Park Boys' who signed up to be the groundbreakers of Fire Football when there was nothing on campus that even resembled football. They are truly the foundation of this program."
