Former Ole Miss defensive back Jay Hopson, a well-traveled assistant coach, was introduced as the new Alcorn State football coach on Monday.

School officials say he’s the first white head football coach in the history of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, a league comprised of 10 historically black colleges and universities.

Hopson, 43, is the school’s 18th head coach. He replaces Melvin Spears, who was fired in February after a 2-8 record in his only season with the Braves.

“We are all purple and gold and I am proud to be an Alcornite,” Hopson, a Vicksburg native, said during his introductory news conference on Monday afternoon in Lorman.

Hopson started last season as defensive coordinator at Memphis but was fired in the second week of the season, after a 47-3 loss to Arkansas State. He was defensive coordinator at Southern Miss in 2005-07 and has also been an assistant at Michigan, Marshall, Florida, LSU, Tulane, Delta State and at his alma mater.

He played safety at Ole Miss in 1988-91 for head coach Billy Brewer.

A few weeks ago, Hopson reportedly withdrew his name from consideration for the job.

Other finalists for the position were Todd McDaniel, Alcorn State’s defensive line coach and interim head coach since December; Michael Armour, the Northern Colorado offensive coordinator and a former Alcorn State assistant coach; and Fredrick Farrier, the former head coach at Kentucky State.

Jay Hopson's coaching career

2010: University of Memphis (D.C./safeties)

2008-09: University of Michigan (linebackers)

2005-07: Southern Miss (D.C.)

2004: Ole Miss (DB/Recruiting Coordinator)

2001-03: Southern Miss (DBs)

1996-2000: Marshall (DBs)

1995: University of Florida (G.A.)

1994: LSU (G.A.)

1993: Delta State (DBs)

1992: Tulane (G.A.)