STARKVILLE — Mississippi State is adding an experienced piece to its football staff.
A source confirmed to The Dispatch Tuesday that former Southern Mississippi head coach Jay Hopson will join head coach Mike Leach’s staff as a defensive analyst. MSU officially announced the hire later Tuesday afternoon.
“I am excited about this opportunity and really want to thank Coach Leach,” Hopson said in a news release. “I am looking forward to being a part of the Bulldog Family, and all the exciting things happening at Mississippi State.”
Hopson resigned from his post in Hattiesburg after just one game this year. In parts of five seasons at Southern Miss Hopson compiled a 28-23 record. He was previously 32-17 as the head coach at Alcorn State prior to his run at Southern Miss.
The Vicksburg native brings a wealth of experience to the Bulldogs’ staff. Ahead of his time as a head coach, Hopson worked in varying capacities at Ole Miss, LSU, Florida and Michigan. He also served as the defensive coordinator at Southern Miss between 2005 and 2007.
Hopson came under some scrutiny during the 2019 offseason when he considered disgraced former Baylor head coach Art Briles for his then-vacant offensive coordinator job. Briles was fired from his post at Baylor over a slew of concerns regarding sexual assaults allegedly committed by football players and how the university handled such issues.
Terms of Hopson’s deal are unclear at this time.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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