MOBILE, Ala. | South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack announced the addition of Jay Hopson as the cornerbacks coach ahead of the 2023 season on Tuesday.

"I feel like we hit a home run with the addition of Jay (Hopson) to our football team," Wommack said. "Certainly, a guy with head coaching experience, and the value he will bring to myself and the rest of our staff from that component.

"What is exciting is when we looked at hiring someone in this position, we wanted someone with deep ties to the state of Mississippi. It would be hard to argue anyone has more ties than Jay does to the state in terms of recruiting, high schools, and junior colleges across the state of Mississippi. Secondly, and just as valuable, is someone who can teach and coach our corners to have great understanding of our scheme and the fundamentals that will take them from point A to point B from the 2022 season to the 2023 season, We feel Jay is the right fit and the right hire for that."

He joins the South Alabama staff after a two-year stint as the Director of High School Relations at Mississippi State. Prior to that role, he served as the head coach at Southern Miss (2016-20) and Alcorn State (2012-15). He led the Golden Eagles to a 28-23 record during his time in Hattiesburg and took the team to three bowl games in four years. He also coached 11 first team Conference USA selections and coached four former players who were drafted into the NFL.

Prior to Southern Miss, Hopkins served as the head coach of Alcorn State leading the Braves to a 32-17 record and consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships in his last two seasons. They also recorded at least nine victories in each of the last three seasons, including a 10-3 mark in 2014.

He also has experience as the linebackers coach at Michigan (2008-09), defensive coordinator at Memphis (2010-2011) and two other stints at Southern Miss. He also coached at Marshall (1996-2000), helping the Thundering Herd to the 1996 NCAA D-IAA national championship and four straight Mid-American Conference championships.

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