STARKVILLE – Mississippi State tight ends coach Mark Hudspeth is leaving the program to become the head coach at Austin Peay.

Steve Robertson of Genespage.com first reported Hudspeth’s departure, and Mississippi State confirmed it. Hudspeth spent one season as the associate head coach and tight ends coach in his most recent stint at Mississippi State.

Hudspeth's status for Mississippi State's Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 is not clear. The Clarion Ledger is waiting on an answer from MSU Athletics regarding Hudspeth's availability for the Bulldogs' game against Iowa.

Before coaching the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from 2011-2017, Hudspeth was Mississippi State’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2009-10.

Hudspeth, a Louisville native, was one of head coach Joe Moorhead’s best recruiters. He was instrumental in leading the Bulldogs’ top 2019 recruit, defensive end Nathan Pickering, to choose MSU.

Hudspeth lured many other highly-touted high school players to commit to Mississippi State as well. Many of them are expected to sign with the Bulldogs when the early signing period opens on Dec. 19.