STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen announced Wednesday that Brad Peterson has been named director player personnel.

Peterson joins MSU after compiling a 148-70-1 record in 17 years as a high school coach. He comes to MSU after spending one

season at Madison Central High School, where he helped the team advance to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A North Half State title game, where it lost to eventual state champion Starkville.

“Brad’s accomplishments in our state are distinguished,” Mullen said in a statement released by MSU. “He’s impacted the lives of many Mississippi high school students who have gone on to be successful. He’s established a winning tradition everywhere he has been, and he’s built relationships with so many people in Mississippi. He’s a terrific person, a great fit for our program, and we are happy to bing him home to his alma mater.”

The Louisville native graduated from MSU in 1996 with a degree in physical education. He earned a master’s degree in sports administration in 2000.

Among Peterson’s primary responsibilities, he will help organize MSU’s on-campus recruiting efforts and serve as the director of all camps and clinics within the program.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be a Mississippi State Bulldog,” Peterson said. “Being from the state of Mississippi and a Mississippi State graduate, to serve my alma mater is an opportunity of a lifetime. The program is going in the right direction. When you win 19 games over the last two years in this difficult conference (it) speaks of the leadership of coach Mullen and his staff. I am excited to be here and help make an impact.”

From 2010-14, Peterson went 50-18 at the Brandon High program. He posted three-straight 10-win seasons from 2012-14, and led the Bulldogs to the MHSAA Class 6A State title game in 2012 with a 12-3 record.

Peterson, who also coached at Forest and Newton high schools, took over as athletic director and coach at Louisville High in 2005. He led the Wildcats to MHSAA Class 3A State titles in 2007 and 2008. He was named Class 3A Coach of the Year twice in his tenure.

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.