Published: November 26, 2007 08:23 pm         

Bower era ends at Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Joined by his wife Debbie and their daughter Stephanie, Southern Miss Head Football Coach Jeff Bower officially ended his 29 years spent at the institution as a player, assistant coach, or head coach.

“Southern Miss has been a significant part of my life for my family and me for a very long time,” Bower said Monday to a room packed with his supporters, university officials, and the media. “To have played here, received my education here, coached here and now to have a daughter who is a student here is a great blessing.”

The rumor mill exploded Monday morning. At first many media outlets reported Bower was fired, but most changed those statements to confirm Bower won’t return after this season, but resigned instead of leaving by force. Southern Miss’ sports information department was still denying the rumors later in the day Monday, but did finally release information of a press conference late Monday afternoon.

“We have a very important announcement coming from the athletic department,” USM President Dr. Martha Saunders said as she brought the meeting to order. Saunders left the podium, Bower spoke briefly, and his 17 year reign was over. He will, however, coach the team for the PapaJohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, whether or not a new head coach is named, Athletic Director Richard Giannini said.

Some of the people at the conference included John Cox, the voice of the Golden Eagles, assistants, and his long-time administrative assistant. Most of his supporters left the room as soon as Bower finished speaking, emotions apparent.

Bower has been much more than a football coach in Hattiesburg the past few years. He was a star quarterback for Southern Miss, and Debbie Bower is a former Miss Southern Mississippi and Miss Mississippi USA. She was a cheerleader and a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. The couple raised two children, Stephanie and Kristen. Kristen died during the 1997 season in an automobile accident. Stephanie, still a student at Southern Miss, is a former cheerleader.

During Bower’s brief statement, he thanked fans for their support, and said many of them have become part of his family.

“My family and I would like to thank the many fans who have become part of our family over the years,” Bower said.

Noting the continued success of the number of graduating student-athletes at Southern Miss, Bower thanked his players and coaches for their dedication and loyalty.

“I would also 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. 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 Southern Miss with a degree,” Bower said.

Bower urged Southern Miss fans to support the team during the upcoming bowl game, and rally around the players as the school faces a search for a new coach.

Giannini said Bower will receive a package worth about $400,000, with $275,000 paid in about 60 days and $125,000 divided into monthly installments over the next two years. He will still receive any incentives scheduled due to the bowl game appearance or other milestones reached.

“We want to thank Jeff for his loyalty to the University of Southern Mississippi and for his coaching achievements over the last 17 years,” Giannini said.

Other than confirming a meeting where Bower resigned and Giannini accepted the resignation, the athletic director wouldn’t go into much more detail. He did say there was no one certain reason for Bower’s resignation, but dwindling fan support for home games and a divide among supporters were key factors.

Find the entire press conference online at www.leadercall.com.



Jason Niblett writes for the Laurel (Miss.) Leader-Call.