Update, 12:28 p.m.: APSU Athletics confirmed that Walden has accepted the head coach position.

“Today, we welcome one of the most energetic and innovative young coaches in the country to lead our football team,” said APSU Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison in a news release. “In Coach Walden, we have found a man who is passionate about the student-athlete experience, energized about being part of the university and Clarksville-Montgomery County community, and excited to join us in our relentless pursuit of excellence.”

“Callie, Luca, and I are incredibly blessed and thankful to be a part of the Governor family,” said Walden. “Becoming the head football coach for an up-and-coming program like Austin Peay is a dream come true for myself and my family.

“I am looking forward to meeting the players and getting to work as soon as possible. We appreciate (Interim APSU President) Danelle Whiteside, (Director of Athletics) Gerald Harrison and the entire Austin Peay community for the amazing opportunity and belief in us. Let’s go do something special together!”

Austin Peay will welcome Walden to Clarksville during an introductory press conference at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2, at the Winfield Dunn Center in Clarksville.

The event will be open to the public with the following social distancing and mask guidelines in place”

The introductory press conference will be open, free of charge, to the public, with fans requested to enter the following gates:

  • Gate B (2nd Floor, Robb Street side)
  • Gate C (2nd Floor, Robb Street side)
  • Gate D (1st Floor, for handicap and elevator access)
  • Gates E & F (Drane Street behind Dunn Center, 2nd Floor)

Seating is limited to the Dunn Center’s second floor, with fans required to maintain social distancing. All individuals in attendance must wear a mask upon entry and at all times while inside the facility. Austin Peay will make hand sanitizer available at specially marked locations inside the Dunn Center.

Governors fans using wheelchairs will be seated on the first floor nearest Gate D and may not leave the designated area.

Previously:

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Scotty Walden will be leaving his position as interim coach at Southern Miss after accepting the top spot with Austin Peay State University’s Govs, according to a report by Yahoo Sports reporter Pete Thamel.

Thamel added that Walden will leave for Clarksville, “immediately” and that assistant coach Tim Billings will take over as Southern Miss’ third head coach of the season.

Walden’s eight-year coaching tenure includes positions at Sul Ross, East Texas Baptist and Southern Miss.

The APSU position has been held by interim head coach Marquase Lovings since July, after then-coach Mark Hudspeth was forced to resign.

This story will be updated.