Penn State's Joe Moorhead headed to Mississippi State: Who could replace him?

Another offseason of head-coaching-job hunting has ended abruptly for Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead.

Just a few days after the regular season, the Nittany Lions' second-year assistant is  leaving for Mississippi State.

Mississippi State named Moorhead as its new head coach Wednesday morning. 

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He will replace Dan Mullen, who just left to take the Florida Gators' head job.

It is a most intriguing match for Moorhead, who made it no secret that he wanted to lead a program again. The former head coach at FCS Fordham University certainly orchestrated the Lions' dramatic turnaround on offense that helped build a 21-5 record the past two seasons. His offense averaged nearly 42 points per game this season, ranking seventh nationally.

And yet the Pittsburgh native, who also worked under Susquehannock grad Randy Edsall at Connecticut, has no coaching or recruiting ties in the South.

USA TODAY's Dan Wolken had reported Monday that Moorhead was a high-priority candidate at Mississippi State, joining Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

The Bulldogs were looking for an up-and-coming and forward-thinking offensive mind with a tireless work ethic, according to the Clarion Ledger of Jackson, Miss. 

Some Penn State players, like up-and-coming star receiver Juwan Johnson took, to social media quickly to praise Moorhead.

"Congrats to @BallCoachJoeMo awesome coach and even better person. Gave me a chance to be the player i am. Wish him all the best in the future," Johnson wrote on Twitter. 

Of course, the move will send the Nittany Lions' coaching staff into flux as they prepare for a big bowl game. James Franklin would be looking to hire his third offensive coordinator since taking over at Penn State in 2014.

He could offer the position to in-house candidates Ricky Rahne (tight ends coach/passing game coordinator) or Matt Limegrover (offensive line coach). Limegrover ran Minnesota's offense before joining Penn State at the same time as Moorhead.

Or Franklin could go outside the program to tab someone like Fordham head coach and Moorhead protege Andrew Breiner, a Hershey native.