If preseason poll is to be believed, it’s going to be another long year for Southern Miss
Will Hall took over a Southern Miss football program that was in need of a complete reset following the 2020 season.
He likened his first roster in 2021 to that of a high school football team’s. Then he signed the No. 4 class in the Sun Belt and guided the Golden Eagles to a surprising 7-6 season that concluded with a bowl win.
Southern Miss built on the momentum by signing the No. 3 class in the league and appeared poised to compete in its division. But the Eagles wouldn’t beat an FBS opponent until November and limped out of the year with a 3-9 record.
Hall is now in his contract year. Two new coordinators and a transfer portal quarterback are the evidence of the pressure that has mounted to win now.
But the arrival of another top signing class and the ability to develop the core of the roster year over year has Hall confident the time has come for USM to see the benefits of the program’s growth.
“We wanted to build a program that lasted and could stand the test of time,” Hall said Wednesday at Sun Belt Media Day. “It was never a quick fix for me to win and get out of here. I love Mississippi and Southern Miss. We built this to last.
“We’ve recruited really well. We’ve retained really well. We’re going into year four and it’s time for us to reap the rewards of that. I’m excited to coach this team.”
Competition would come as a surprise to the rest of the league’s coaches. Southern Miss was picked to finish sixth in the West division, and with a considerable gap between the Golden Eagles and fifth-placed South Alabama — which defeated USM by 52 points a year ago.
Moreover, not a single Eagle placed on the first- or second-team preseason all-conference teams.
Much of the latter can be attributed to the loss of star running back Frank Gore Jr, a remade offensive line and a defense that was gutted by injuries throughout 2023.
To Hall’s credit, there is a healthy mix of proven star power and experienced players who have developed consistently over a two-to-three year period.
Wide receiver Ty Mims has 64 career receptions and was an electric punt returner last season. His podium mate at media days, edge rusher Jalil Clemons, has 22 career tackles for loss and recorded half of them in ‘23.
“We’ve got more depth, we’ve got more experience, we’ve got more guys that have played college football than we’ve ever had,” Hall said.
Hall hopes to capitalize on that with significant changes to his coaching staff. Clay Bignell rises from the FCS ranks to take over a defense that has a deep front four, portal adds at linebacker with FBS playing experience, and a secondary that used the myriad injuries accrued last fall to return a group that has a full two-deep of starting experience.
Bignell brings a new scheme that is aimed at utilizing the veterans up front and creating the disruption USM’s best defenses have been known for.
“I think (Bignell) has a great scheme, a scheme that lets us just line up and go,” Clemons said. “It’s a four-down front. Last year we ran a multiple 3-4 defense where I played outside linebacker, this year I’m making a full transition to defensive end where I can get on that quarterback like I want to... We all think it’s a scheme that we can just come in and make plays and be ourselves in.”
On the other side, Hall has handed over the reigns of the offense to a full-time coordinator for the first time in his career.
Former Notre Dame OC Chip Long is tasked with stabilizing an offense that has had an ongoing quarterback battle since Hall’s arrival.
Southern Miss’ 22.1 points per game during Hall’s tenure is the second fewest in the conference over a three-year span.
“Coach Long loves his playmakers and really wants to score a lot of points through that,” Mims said. “He builds his plays off his players and makes sure his playmakers get the ball. He holds us to a higher standard.”
Fall camp arrives next month where a quarterback race between Ethan Crawford and Florida State transfer Tate Rodemaker will play out ahead of a make-or-break season in Hattiesburg.
Southern Miss opens the season on the road at Kentucky on August 31 before the home opener against Southeast Louisiana on September 7.
