Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is now the head coach at Mississippi State, and the focus now turns to what will easily be his most critical hire in Starkville — defensive coordinator.

As we reported days ago, Dan Mullen has offered Tod Grantham his defensive coordinator position at Florida. As we reported, Grantham is expected to accept. Sources tell FootballScoop Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry is not expected to be a candidate.

Sources told FootballScoop that Moorhead targeted Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown to join him at Mississippi State, but Brown will remain in Ann Arbor. Brown was selected by his peers as the FootballScoop Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 2015.

Brown and Moorhead worked together for one season at Connecticut.

But Moorhead’s pursuit of Brown provides a window into how he is looking to fill his most crucial assistant coaching position. Moorhead is looking to bring the best of the best to Starkville.

As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.