Jay Hopson has resigned from his position at Southern Miss.
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles were expected to compete for another C-USA title, largely due to quarterback Jack Abraham and the steady hand of head coach Jay Hopson. Hopson’s pursuit of a title has come to an anticlimactic end after just one game, as he gave up his head coaching spot after a disappointing opening night performance.
Hopson, who went 28-23 during his four seasons and one game at Southern Miss, resigned after losing their first game of the season to a subpar South Alabama team, per Brett McMurphy.
Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson has resigned, sources told @Stadium. Hopson was 28-23 at USM, including’s Thursday’s opening loss to South Alabama. Hopson had 4 winning records in 4 years w/3 bowl trips. Hopson, also Alcorn State’s coach from 2012-15, had career record of 60-40
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 7, 2020
Scotty Walden, a much-hyped co-offensive coordinator who has drawn rave reviews for revamping the Golden Eagles’ passing game, will take over as head coach.
Co-offensive coordinator/WR coach Scotty Walden will be interim coach at Southern Miss, source told @Stadium
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 7, 2020
Jay Hopson had some success over the last half-decade in Hattiesburg
Hopson, who was an assistant at Southern Miss in the mid-2000s, rose to prominence as a linebackers coach at Michigan and defensive coordinator at Memphis before he took the head coach job at HBCU power Alcorn State. After winning the SWAC in consecutive seasons, Hopson took over Southern Miss ahead of the 2016 season.
While he made his mark as a defensive coach, hiring Walden and giving the starting quarterback job to Abraham helped the Golden Eagles lead C-USA in passing yards per game. Walden has some impressive credentials, but Hopson’s ability to consistently win in a conference that is often in flux and lacks one team that rules the roost year after year deserves plenty of praise.
Jay Hopson: “After heartfelt discussion w/ (AD) Jeremy (McClain), we have come to a mutual agreement for me to step down as head coach. I am in total agreement w/this change in leadership & truly believe it is in the best interest of the players, coaches & this entire program."
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 7, 2020
Hopson opening the season with a loss at home against an inferior opponent might’ve been a bad look, but it’s by no means a fireable offense. Time will tell if Walden is able to keep up the Eagles’ winning ways in 2020 or if his offensive wizardry alone will be futile when it comes to saving Southern Miss from disaster.