CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Austin Peay has named Scotty Walden the 21st head football coach in school history.
The hiring makes the 30-year-old Walden the youngest active head coach at the Division I level.
Walden departs from Southern Mississippi, where he served as interim head coach since September.
Austin Peay athletic director Gerald Harrison shared in a news release issued by the university on Tuesday that Walden’s innovation and high energy made him the right fit for the job.
“Scotty is a new-age CEO for a new era of college football,” Harrison stated. “He is a tireless worker, a motivator, a dogged recruiter, and a person who possesses an infectious personality that will lead us back to the OVC Championship and beyond. I am thrilled to welcome Scotty, Callie, and Luca to the Austin Peay family, and I look forward to our opportunity to officially welcome them Monday.”
History with other programs
Walden served previously under former Austin Peay interim football coach Joshua Eargle as offensive coordinator during the two’s time together at East Texas Baptist University.
In 2016 upon Eargel’s exit from the Tiger program, Walden took over as head coach at ETBU. His team led all Division III teams in scoring offense (49.9 points per game) while finishing second in total offense (564.3 yards per game) and sixth in passing offense (365.3 yards per game) in his lone season at the helm.
Eargle is currently the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Kansas.
Many have compared Walden to former Texas Tech and current Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, based on his drive and ingenuity as a playcaller.
Back in his collegiate playing days, the Division III product started at quarterback for Dordt College in 2008. Walden also attended Hardin-Simmons from 2009-10 before finishing his bachelor’s degree at Sul Ross State University in 2011.
What’s next
Walden takes over for Marquase Lovings, who went 0-3 over the Governors’ three-game fall slate as interim head coach.
The university will introduce Walden during a public news conference set for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, at the Winfield Dunn Center.
“Callie, Luca, and I are incredibly blessed and thankful to be a part of the Governor family,” Walden said in a news release. “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.”