Southern Miss names Fedora coach

Dec 12, 2007 - 9:36 PM HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (Ticker) -- Southern Mississippi named Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Larry Fedora as its new football coach Wednesday.

Fedora, 45, replaces long-time Golden Eagles coach Jeff Bower, who resigned last month after 17 seasons at Southern Mississippi.

Fedora has spent the past three years as Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator after similar stints at Florida and Middle Tennessee State.

"This is a great day," Southern Mississippi president Martha Saunders said. "I've talked at length with Coach Fedora and feel that he has the best interest of the student-athlete at heart. I believe he can take us to the next level of excellence."

Fedora will have a tough act to follow, as Bower posted a 119-82-1 record at Southern Miss while guiding the Golden Eagles to 14 consecutive winning seasons.

Bower will coach the Golden Eagles in the Papajohns.com Bowl against Cincinnati on December.

Southern Miss is making its sixth straight bowl appearance and the 10th in the last 11 years.

Fedora helped improve the offensive production at Oklahoma State. In the last two years, the Cowboys ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards per game and in the top 20 in total offense.

"Larry is ready for the job," Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said. "He is disciplined, and a hard worker. He has great people skills and relates well to the players, and he'll put together a quality coaching staff."

During Fedora's three-year tenure at Oklahoma State, the Cowboys raised their rushing, passing and total offensive yards each season.

Oklahoma State is one of only two programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision to average more than 230 yards passing and running in each of the last two seasons.

"Larry Fedora is an outstanding person in every respect and will make a terrific head coach," Southern Miss athletic director Richard Giannini said. "Everyone we talked with raved about his ability as a coach, teacher and recruiter."