Bower steps down at Southern Miss

November 26, 2007

Hattiesburg, MS (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Southern Miss head coach Jeff Bower announced his resignation amidst a storm of controversy and confusion at a Monday afternoon press conference.

"Southern Miss has been a significant part of my life for my family and me for a very long time," said Bower. "To have played here, received my education here, coached here and now to have my daughter who is a student here is a great blessing."

Bower, who has led the Golden Eagles for the past 17 years, stood at the podium with his wife, Debbie, and his daughter, Stephanie, as he read from his prepared statement.

Bower, who has been with the program for 29 years as a player and coach, had a meeting with Athletic Director Richard Giannini Monday morning during which the two men came to a "mutual decision."

Giannini said that while the meeting between the two men had been previously scheduled, he did not anticipate Bower's resignation. However, Giannini said he did not try to argue with Bower about his decision.

"I did not try to talk him out of resigning," said Giannini during the press conference.

Bower became emotional when he spoke about his players and coaches, with whom he spoke to before the press conference.

"I would like to say a special thank you to the many young men -- both players and coaches -- who have joined me in giving their all to this program," said Bower. "I am proud that we run a clean program -- we've run it with integrity, we've won games and most importantly, our student-athletes have left with a degree."

Bower has compiled a 119-82-1 record as head coach. During his lengthy tenure, Bower won the Conference USA championship four times (1993, 1996, 1997, 2003). The Golden Eagles finished last season with the 2006 East Division title.

Bower was awarded conference coach of the year in 1997, 1999 and 2003, and was named conference coach of the decade in 2004.

Bower will be paid approximately $500,000 through December and then receive a $400,000 buyout, from both state and private funding. Giannini said Bower would receive $275,000 over the next 60 days and then $125,000 spread over the next two years.

The Golden Eagles (7-5) clinched their 14th consecutive winning season with a 16-10 victory over Arkansas State Saturday and received an invitation to the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham. It will be Southern Miss' ninth bowl trip in the last 10 years.

There are only three current coaches that have had a longer tenure at a single program: Penn State's Joe Paterno (42 years), Florida State's Bobby Bowden (32) and Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer (21).

The Golden Eagles have the fifth longest streak of winning seasons in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision behind Florida State (31), Michigan (23), Florida (20) and Virginia Tech (16).

Despite the current streak, many Golden Eagle fans have been critical of the program in the last few seasons, which Giannini noted.

"I was concerned about our fan base," said Giannini. "There had been a lot of negativity ... a lot of discussion."

Picked by the coaches to win the conference, Southern Miss finished fourth in the conference with a record of 5-3.

This season marks the fourth consecutive season with at least five losses. This year marked the first time the Golden Eagles have lost three conference games at home in 30 years.

Giannini said that although he has accepted Bower's resignation, Bower will still coach the Golden Eagles at the Papajohns.com Bowl in December.

"I want you to know that there's a lot of fight left in Jeff Bower," said Bower. "I am not done yet."

(C) 2007 The Student Printz via CSTV U-WIRE