Mudcats Name Loper Head Coach

JACKSON, MS-- The Mississippi Mudcats are proud to announce the signing of Johnny Loper as Head Football Coach of the team. Coach Loper brings a wealth of football experience to the position as he looks to lead the Mudcats into their inaugural season in the United Football League. 

Johnny Loper was a four-sport All-Conference athlete at Wayne County High School in Waynesboro, MS, with his most notable success coming from his remarkable accomplishments in football. After being heavily recruited by Alabama, Mississippi State, and Jackson State, Loper ultimately was swayed by legendary coach Willie Jeffries to play at South Carolina State University.

His collegiate football career was highlighted by earning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Conference honors as a kick returner and punt returner, as well as being named the team’s Most Valuable Player for his position as Wide Receiver three years in a row. After college, Loper took his game to the professional level by playing for the Memphis Explorers arena football team. He brought excitement to the Mid-South crowds with his fantastic kick returns and acrobatic catches from 2000-2004.

After hanging up his cleats in 2005, Loper decided to focus his time and attention on his second love, which was personal fitness training. Loper opened Jay Lo Fitness Studios and launched his Jay Lo Fitness Program in 2005. He was featured on several media outlets, including Fox 13, fitness shows, cameos with Celebrity Fitness Star Richard Simmons, and training videos sponsored by Advocare. Loper has repeatedly acknowledged that the competitive drive created in him through his past athletic success has contributed to his success as an accomplished business owner. 

In 2018, Loper started coaching football at the high school and elementary school levels at Northpoint Christian School. He approached his new role with the singular purpose of teaching today’s youth how to become champions on and off the field. As a result, he has helped hundreds of student-athletes become better versions of themselves while also assisting them in obtaining scholarships to attend prominent colleges and universities.  

The Mudcats will kick off the 2023 season this April. For more details on the season and single-game tickets, visit mississippimudcats.com.