More details emerge on former MSU assistant Mark Hudspeth's sudden departure from Austin Peay
Former Mississippi State assistant coach Mark Hudspeth, who resigned as head coach at Austin Peay earlier this month, was in the midst of a suspension for unacceptable conduct when he resigned according to a Friday report by the Leaf-Chronicle.
Hudspeth resigned on July 3, citing personal reasons. At the time, Hudspeth said he needed to take some time away from football to be with his wife and kids. What wasn't known until revealed by the Leaf-Chronicle Friday was that Hudspeth had already been suspended without pay from June 17 through July 10.
An open records request revealed an email from Austin Peay athletic director Gerald Harrison to Hudspeth in which Harrison informed Hudspeth he was being suspended for violating two sections of his employment agreement. Both sections dealt with engaging in conduct considered detrimental to the reputation of Austin Peay.
Hudspeth spent just one year with the Governors and led them to one of their best seasons ever. Hudspeth led Austin Peay to an 11-4 overall record before losing in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. The 11 wins were a program record as the school won the Ohio Valley Conference championship. Hudspeth was tabbed the OVC's Coach of the Year for his efforts .
Following Hudspeth's resignation earlier this month, Austin Peay tabbed another former Mississippi State Bulldog, Marquase Lovings, to be the interim head coach. Lovings' coaching career started when he was a student at Mississippi State. He was a quality control coach from 2007 to 2008 under then-Bulldogs head coach Sylvester Croom, then was a defensive graduate assistant under Dan Mullen in 2009 and 2010.
Lovings now leads an Austin Peay coaching staff that also includes former MSU wide receiver Chad Bumphis as receivers coach.
