New Southern Miss coach fires on conference colleagues for being too nice to USM
Charles Huff is bewildered when the question comes in near the end of his 30-minute spot at Sun Belt media days Tuesday in New Orleans.
The league’s reigning champion appeared almost offended upon mention of the preseason coaches poll that placed Southern Miss — a team with 70 new players, an offensive coordinator with multiple titles in the same conference and a quarterback with a spotless record — fifth in the West Division.
Not because he felt his staff had been slighted, but rather out of a place of perplexity.
“We were 1-11,” Huff responded flatly. “We should have been dead last.”
Disregard that Huff is the current occupant of the Sun Belt’s throne. Or that he won seven straight games to end 2024, including a division title-sealing 17-point comeback win over James Madison and a demolishing of Louisiana in the subsequent championship game.
Nevermind that his quarterback is the new preseason Offensive Player of the Year and he’s now dressed in black and gold after ditching Marshall’s kelly green.
Huff doesn’t feel disrespected by the vote of his colleagues. Instead he questions their sobriety.
“Whoever voted us fifth, you must have had way too much bourbon on Bourbon Street,” Huff said.
The final record of what was arguably the most futile football season attempted by the USM program (one with an 0-12 season in recent memory) crops up often around Huff. And it’s usually him who brings it up.
Huff brought Marshall to a bowl game in each of the four years of his tenure. He’s replacing a coach at USM who won eight total conference games across the same four-year stretch. Huff won eight conference games last year.
He acknowledges the hardware earned at his previous home. But he also treats 1-11 — one of those losses coming courtesy of himself — as if it’s his own identity.
“We’re not conference champions, we’re 1-11,” Huff said. “That’s just the reality, we embrace that. Until we do something about it, that’s who we are.”
Huff’s approach tactfully keeps expectations for year one tempered and it provides motivational locker room material. But it also serves to create a new and distinct beginning for dozens of players who have made USM their second or third school by giving them something to build from scratch.
It removes the target that plagues every other reigning champion. Huff knows it also provides a challenge for his players and has been open about them accepting the responsibility of 1-11 and the heady task to rebuild.
“Did I vote, Jack?” He called to Associate Athletic Director Jack Duggan from the stage. “If I voted I know I voted us last.”
