MOBILE, Ala. — Les Koenning, South Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has accepted a position on Dan Mullen’s staff at Mississippi State.
Koenning was the first offensive coordinator in South Alabama football history. He was named to the Jaguars’ staff on Feb. 29, 2008, and leaves before the program has played a game.
Return to Starkville
The move returns Koenning to Mississippi State, where he coached running backs and wide receivers from 1986 to 1989.
Koenning has been an offensive coordinator since 1998, beginning at Duke. He later coached at Houston, TCU, Alabama for three seasons and Texas A&M for five seasons. Teams he has coached have played in nine bowl games.
Reaction
South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said the opportunity was one Koenning could not pass up.
“I’m really pleased for Les, this is a great opportunity for him,” Jones said. “He’s an outstanding coach and recruiter who deserves to be at a school like Mississippi State. This was too good of an opportunity for him to turn down, we wish him tremendous success in the future.”
Koenning thanked South Alabama for his year with the program.
“I have no doubt that South Alabama is heading in the right direction, and I’m thankful for the past year that I was able to spend there,” Koenning said. “The opportunity to return to Mississippi State and work with coach Mullen was an opportunity my family and I could not pass up. I wish nothing but the best for South Alabama and all of the fine people I had an opportunity to work with.”
Search for a Replacement
South Alabama has not named candidates to replace Koenning. Jones has said previously that the Jaguars plan to run a shotgun spread offense with a balance of running and passing.
South Alabama is preparing for its first season of football in 2009.
