The Southern Miss Athletic Department confirmed Head Football Coach Jay Hopson has stepped down and Assistant Head Coach Scotty Walden has been named interim head coach.
Fo- jeff haeger.- there's breaking news out of- hattiesburg today.- the southern miss athletic- department confirmed head - football coach jay hopson has - stepped down and assistant- head coach scotty walden has- been named as interim head- coach.- hopson released a statement - saying quote... - "after heartfelt discussion wit jeremy mcclain, we have come to- a mutual agreement for me to- step down as head coach.... i - am in total agreement with this- change in leadership and- truly believe it is in the best- interest of the players, coache- and this entire program... i- cannot thank dr. bennett and ou- administration enough for the - opportunity that they gave me..- - - - i wish southern miss nothing bu- the best and am thankful for al- that they have done for me and- my family."
Unquote.
Hopson became the golden eagles- 21st head football coach- ahead of the 2016 season.
- in his four seasons at the helm- of the southern miss- football program, hopson posted- a 28 and 23 record and- led the golden eagles to three- bowl games.
- following thursday's 32 - 21- loss to south alabama, hopson - met with southern miss athletic- director jeremy - mcclain to quote "discuss what was on his heart" unquote.
Mcclain released a statement- saying quote... - - "after much discussion over the weekend, he-- hopson-- and i- agreed that new leadership for- our football program is - needed.
Coach hopson has been a- part of our program for 10- years.
I appreciate his - commitment to southern miss - and wish jay and his family - nothing but the best."
New interim head coach scotty - walden will make his head - coaching debut with the golden- eagles on saturday, - september 19th at home against- louisiana
In a lot of ways, USM’s season opening loss to South Alabama didn’t make much sense.
