It didn’t take a genius to figure out something was up at Austin Peay after Mark Hudspeth suddenly resigned during the Fourth of July weekend after leading the program to its first 11-win season during his debut year with the Middle Tennessee program.

Now we have some information regarding why the former Austin Peay head coach and SEC assistant is no longer the coach for the Governors.

According to Austin Peay AD Gerald Harrison, who discussed the matter with George Robinson of the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, Hudspeth had been suspended by the school prior to the coach’s resignation. Hudspeth’s suspension was scheduled to run from June 17 to July 10 and the coach did not receive any compensation from the school during this time.

If you were unaware, Austin Peay recently had to halt all athletic activities due to a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. Harrison noted Hudspeth’s status at Austin Peay had nothing to do with the COVID-19 outbreak but instead had to do with two clauses in the coach’s contract that had been violated.

Here are the two clauses in Hudspeth’s contract that were violated, as outlined by the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle:

Section 10.1.2 of Hudspeth’s contract says “if the Athletic Director determines in his reasonable discretion that coach Hudspeth has willfully engaged in conduct that is clearly contrary to the character and responsibilities of a person occupying the position of Head Football Coach and which negatively or adversely affects the reputation of the University or its athletic programs in any material way.”

According to Section 10.1.8, “Egregious personal conduct that is reasonably determined by the Athletic Director or President to negatively, adversely and materially affect the reputation or operation of the APSU athletics program.”

That’s much different than the statement issued by Hudspeth upon his resignation at the school.

“This was not an easy decision, but a very personal one. I need to take some time away from the game with Tyla and the kids. I could not be more thankful for my time at Austin Peay and will be a fan forever. I will miss the players and coaches incredibly and will never forget their commitment to each other and this team. I will return to coaching in the future at the right time.”

Austin Peay won a share of the Ohio Valley Conference title and advanced to the postseason for the first time in program history in 2019.