Coach succumbs to possible heart attack

JOPLIN, Mo., Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Missouri Southern State University John Ware football coach died Tuesday after to an apparent heart attack. Ware was 46.

He collapsed at a desk in his office. Attempts by medical personnel and others at the scene failed. He was rushed by ambulance to Freeman Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

"John Ware was a man with a vision, and that vision was beginning to become clear to our community and our campus," said the school's athletic director, Sallie Beard. "It was almost palpable, the impact that he had in just a short period of time."

After the Lions finished 1-10 in 2003, Ware became the eighth head coach in school history in December of that year. He led the Lions to a 5-6 mark in 2004. Thus far this year, the Lions have a 2-3 record.

The school has not released results of Wednesday's scheduled autopsy, and has not indicated the future of this season.