Missouri sports fans love a fiery, hard-nosed coach who isn’t afraid to stand up for their program.

However, Tigers softball coach Ehren Earleywine might have crossed a line in a falling out between Mizzou and in-state rival Missouri State, which accused Earleywine of recruiting infractions, among other allegations, via email.

Emails were passed along to espnW following an open records request made to the University of Missouri. The exchange involved Missouri Director of Operations Lisa Simmons and Missouri State softball coach Holly Hesse attempting to schedule a game for the 2016 season.

[Per the documents obtained by espnW](http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12977002/heated-email-exchange-exposed-missouri-missouri-state-softball), Simmons and Hesse appeared to be on their way to finalizing a date before an April 23 meeting between Mizzou and Missouri State. Soon after the game, a 6-0 Tigers victory, Simmons received an email from Hesse stating that the Bears no longer wished to continue the series with the Tigers for the following reasons:

1) “Ehren was overheard saying to his team after our game this year that they should have run ruled us because we were no better than a ‘5A High School Team.’ His total disrespect for our program and our players in unacceptable.”

2) “It is widely known that Ehren consistently disregards the NCAA recruiting rules. In our view, winning only has meaning if it is done fairly and within the rules.”

3) “While at Killian Stadium in April your team spit sunflower seeds in the dugout and on the turf despite the sign that says ‘No sunflower seeds.’ Again, a sign of total disrespect for the rules, our program and facility.”

Earleywine, who has been Mizzou’s head coach for the past nine seasons and has a record of 369-122, took offense to Hesse’s allegations and decided to take matters into his own hands. In the following email, also obtained by espnW, Earleywine copied the entire Missouri State staff.

“Wow! Are you serious holly? Big accusations about my character and no clue of what you’re talking about,” he wrote. “This isn’t really about my character though, its about yours… or lack there of. The truth of the matter is you’re scared to get your ass whipped yet again by old mizzou. Have the courage to say what it really is and quit hiding behind your phony excuses. You’ve been ducking us for awhile now and you know it. Pull your tail out from between your legs and learn how to compete. I bet your players see right through you like i do. Why dont you do the right thing and show these impressionable young ladies how to face a challenge instead of running from one? If/when you decide to be a big girl, you know how to get ahold of me. In the meantime, If you need tips on how to compete against mu, ask coach guttin. Ps this current arrangement is actually good for my team because even when we trounce you, our rpi drops. Last time I checked you were at 118. I have to give you credit though, you’ve been able to keep your job despite being horseshit for so long. Hats off…” (sic)

In his response, Earleywine not only diminishes the reputation of Hesse, who recently finished her 27th year as head coach at Missouri State, but he also takes a shot at the Mizzou baseball program by mentioning Bears’ baseball head coach Keith Guttin. Missouri State swept Mizzou this past season in baseball and has won four of the past six meetings.

Since the heated exchange was made public, Mizzou Athletics spokesperson Chad Moller has passed along an apology on behalf of Earleywine, and Missouri State has also issued a comment on behalf of Hesse. According to the report by espnW, the Mizzou athletic administration was not aware of the harsh exchange until the open records request was conducted. It is still unclear whether Mizzou and Missouri State will discontinue their series.