(BlackMediaScoop) Jay Hopson has been named the new head football coach at Alcorn State University, making the university the first Southwestern Athletic Conference school to name a non-black as head football coach.
A statement on the university’s website from president M. Christopher said, “The future for Alcorn football is bright and I am excited that coach Hopson will lead us forward.”
A native of Vicksburg, Miss., Hopson received his degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi, where he was four-year letter winner as a defensive back from 1988-1991. During his time with the Rebels program, he was named to the Academic All-SEC team four times as well as a member of the CoSIDA Districk VI Academic All-American team in 1991. The 43-year old received his master’s in health, physical education and recreation from Delta State University.
After withdrawing his name from consideration, Hopson told reporters that Brown convinced him to reconsider. “I believe in Dr. Brown’s vision for this university,” Hopson said. “I don’t see black or white, we’re all purple and gold.”
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Hopson replaces Melvin Spears, who was fired in February after posting a 2-8 in his only season with the program. Alcorn State will open the 2012 season against Grambling State Step. 1 in the Port City Classic.
“Today’s historical appointment will require us to walk hand in hand to disrupt naysayers wedded to a racist past,” Brown said. Alcorn State will open the 2012 season against Grambling State in the Port City Classic on September 1, 2012.
