STARKVILLE — Joe Moorhead is out as the head coach at Mississippi State.
Just more than a month after an MSU spokesperson told The Dispatch he would return for a third season, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed this morning that Moorhead would be relieved of his duties. He compiled a 14-12 record in two seasons in charge of the MSU football program capped by Monday’s 38-28 loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl.
“In consultation with President Mark Keenum and after a thorough review and evaluation of all aspects of our football program, I have decided that a change in leadership is in the best interest of our team and university,” MSU athletic director John Cohen said in a statement. “I want to thank Coach Moorhead for the hard work he has done with our football program. I wish Joe and his family success in the future.”
“It is clear the time has come to change the leadership of our football program,” Keenum added. “Coach Moorhead is a good man, and I have nothing but respect for him. I sincerely wish the very best for him and his wonderful family.”
Moorhead, who came to Starkville after spending two seasons as an offensive coordinator at Penn State, brought with him the promise of a dynamic offense in the wake of Dan Mullen’s departure for Florida. But after guiding the Nittany Lions to the nation’s 19th-best offense in 2017, the Bulldogs’ offense ranked 63rd and 71st over Moorhead’s two seasons at the helm.
His tenure was also marred by scandal. As was announced earlier this year, 10 MSU football players were involved in payments to an athletic department tutor in exchange for completing coursework. All 10 players were to be docked eight games this season.
More recently, a fight involving junior linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader left the latter unable to play in the Music City Bowl.
According to contract details disclosed by the MSU athletic department, the buyout for his deal should hover around $9.75 million — though it’s unclear how much of that money will be covered by boosters.
Now just three years into John Cohen’s tenure as athletic director, he will conduct his second search for a head football coach.
Following his firing, Moorhead penned an emotional letter reflecting on his time at MSU Friday night.
“My family and I will always cherish our time in Starkville,” he wrote. “Part of us will always Maroon and White. We wish the program nothing but the best moving forward. As my grandma would say, ‘It’s never good bye, it’s always see you later.'”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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