Former Eagle Tony Hughes named JSU head coach

12/15/2015 9:08:00 AM

Tony Hughes at Hinds (left) and Mississippi State

OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM JACKSON STATE

Tony Hughes, a former assistant coach with the Hinds Community College football program, was selected as the new head football coach at Jackson State University on Monday.

Hughes, who previously served the assistant head coach with the Mississippi State University Bulldogs, was the secondary coach at Hinds from 1994-2001 before becoming the program's defensive coordinator for one season in 2002. It was with the Eagles of Hinds that he coached eight players who went on to play in the National Football League (NFL), highlighted by former Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins star Fred Smoot.

He later headed to Louisiana Tech University for two years after the 2002 season in Raymond.

Hughes then spent three seasons at the University of Mississippi (2005-2007), one season with the University of Southern Mississippi (2008) and the previous seven seasons at Mississippi State University (2009-2015).

His work on the recruiting trail has been widely respected, as noted by 247Sports.com naming him one of America's Top 10 recruiters in 2015.

Hughes' lengthy career in the Magnolia State also includes seven seasons spent coaching in the Mississippi high school coaching ranks, including stints at Hattiesburg High School (1988-1991), South Natchez High School (1986-1987) and Philadelphia High School (1985).

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