Just one game into the 2020 football season, Southern Mississippi head coach Jay Hopson elected to leave his post Monday, school athletic director Jeremy McClain announced.
The decision came after Southern Miss opened 2020 with a 32-21 home loss to South Alabama on Thursday. The Eagles were two-touchdown favorites.
“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,” McClain said in a release.
Hopson took over the Golden Eagles in 2016, and posted a 28-23 overall record in four-plus seasons. Southern Miss was 20-12 under Hopson in Conference USA over the span, but never finished higher than second in the C-USA West division. The Golden Eagles reached three bowl games in four seasons under Hopson, including the Armed Forces Bowl last season.
“After heartfelt discussion with Jeremy, we have come to a mutual agreement for me to step down as head coach,” Hopson said in the joint release. “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.”
Before arriving at Southern Miss, Hopson was 32-17 over four seasons at the FCS level with Alcorn State from 2012-15. The Braves went to the first ever Celebration Bowl after the 2015 season.
Southern Miss co-offensive coordinator Scotty Waldren has been named the Golden Eagles’ interim head coach.
