Six days after Monken’s departure, Bill McGillis announced on Twitter Saturday night that the head coach’s replacement has been found.
Jay Hopson will join Southern Miss after spending four years as head coach at Alcorn State. Hopson compiled a 32-17 record with the Braves at Alcorn,. He finished his last two seasons with back-to-back SWAC championships.
Hopson will return to USM for the third time in his career after stints under Jeff Bower as defensive backs coach from 2001-2003 and defensive coordinator from 2005-2007. With Hopson back at Southern Miss, the continuity and familiarity that he can bring may be able to stabilize the program.