Mississippi State announced Friday that Joe Moorehead’s time as head coach of the Bulldogs is over after just two seasons.
Stadium reports that disciplinary issues were the crux of the program’s decision after seven players were suspended for the season opener due to violation of team rules and starting quarterback Garrett Shrader missed the team’s bowl game with a broken orbital bone, which he allegedly suffered during a fight with a teammate.
Moorehead posted a 14-12 record over the two seasons, including a 6-7 mark this year which tied for the most losses in a season in the program’s last 11 years.
The job in Starkville was the first FBS head coaching job for Moorehead, who left his role as offensive coordinator at Penn State to lead the SEC program.
In a statement Friday, Mississippi State Director of Athletics John Cohen said, “I have decided that a change in leadership is in the best interest of our team and university.”
University President Mark Keenum added, “It is clear the time has come to change the leadership of our football program.”
Mississippi State capped the 2019 regular season with a wild win versus rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, which ended Matt Luke’s time as head coach in Oxford. But the Bulldogs blew a 14-0 lead in the Music City Bowl Monday, losing 38-28 to Louisville.
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