Jay Hopson has resigned from the Southern Miss head coaching job on Monday aftertnoon.
Hopson’s resignation comes after Southern Miss’ unforeseen season-opening loss to South Alabama on Thursday night.
Co-offensive coordinator Scotty Walden will be the interim head coach. Walden was the head coach at Division III East Texas Baptist in 2016, in which he went 7-3. Under Walden, his offense led the nation in scoring.
“Coach Hopson came to me after last Thursday’s game to discuss what was on his heart and after much discussion over the weekend, he and I agreed that new leadership for our football program is needed,” Athletic Director Jeremy McClain said in a press release. “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.”
In his five seasons, Hopson compiled a 28-23 overall record.
“After a heartfelt discussion with Jeremy, we have come to a mutual agreement for me to step down as head coach,” Hopson said. “I am in total agreement with this change in leadership and truly believe it is in the best interest of the players, coaches and this entire program. I cannot thank Dr. Bennett and our administration enough for the opportunity that they gave me. I wish Southern Miss nothing but the best and am thankful for all that they have done for me and my family.”
The Vicksburg native had three bowl game appearances, with his only bowl win coming in the 2016 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Hopson agreed to a four-year contract in 2018 in which he was set to receive a total of $2 million, with a base annual salary of $500,000 per year.
Hopson’s contract had a buyout clause requiring that he pay 50 percent of the base salary in the remaining contract period were he to terminate his contract before it has run its course. The university had an equal clause were it to terminate Hopson without cause with time left on the contract.
Before being hired as the head coach in 2016, Hopson was also previously an assistant coach from 2001-2003 and later the program’s defensive coordinator from 2005-2007.
Hopson is one of three coaches at Southern Miss to having winning records in their first four seasons, which includes Reed Green and Larry Fedora.
During Hopson’s tenure, his offense and run game had underperformed as the program is now on its third offensive coordinator in three years.
Hopson’s offensive coordinator search caused controversy in 2019 after attempting to hire former Baylor coach Art Briles, who led the program during the infamous sexual assault scandal.
Last season, Southern Miss sat at 7-3 with a chance to make the Conference USA championship before the Golden Eagles ended the year 0-3 which added frustation amongst the fan base.
Southern Miss will have its bye week before returning to the field against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 19. That game is scheduled to be nationally televised on ESPN 2.
