After days of rumors and speculation, names dropped and names embraced, and finally wondering just when the moment would come, the University of Southern Mississippi officially named long-time head football coach Jeff Bower’s successor Wednesday.

“Pending IHL’s (Institutional of Higher Learning), approval I am happy to announce our new coach is Larry Fedora,” Dr. Martha Saunders said as explosive applause sounded from a packed ballroom at the Thad Cochran Center.

Fedora wasted no time in explaining to fans his goals for the Golden Eagles over the next few years. He said Bower built a foundation, but he hopes to take the program to another level. With a reported base salary of $650,000 and incentives reaching near $900,000, fans and boosters put their financial backing behind their demands for more exciting offensive plays, a challenge for the CUSA Championship every year, and a larger recruiting base without forgetting about the local field.

“You can never replace Jeff Bower,” Fedora said. “He is a living legend. Coach Bower built a foundation and established a legacy. This is a proud program and rightfully so.”

Fedora also said he will embrace the reputation that Southern Miss has for educating the student-athlete. With one of the highest athlete graduation rates in the nation, Fedora said he and his staff will make sure football players get every opportunity to graduate.

“My staff and I will make sure that happens,” he said.

As far as recruiting goes, Fedora said he will begin “today.” He said he wants to speak with coaches across Mississippi, including the local Hattiesburg-Laurel area. He said local recruits are often overlooked, so he wants to get to know the coaches so they can have a sort of trust when a player has potential.

“I want them to have a relationship with Larry Fedora,” he said.

But a challenge also came from the new head Eagle. He promised excitement on the field, but said fans must get behind the program. His first season will begin a newly-completed construction program at The Rock. That project is enclosing an endzone, adding luxury suites, and expanding general seating.

“We need the support of everyone who bleeds black and gold,” he said. “The Rock can be a fortress. We need you here early. We need you to be obnoxious and loud.”

“I believe we should and will compete for conference championships every year. We can go bowling every year. Every player should have the opportunity to earn a degree. The flagship university of the State of Mississippi resides in Hattiesburg.”

Fedora and his wife Christi have four children. Mrs. Fedora said she hopes the family can become a part of the Hattiesburg community for a while.

“They’ve been good,” she said of her children who have moved around several times while growing up. “It’s getting more difficult the older they get. Hopefully they can finish school here.”

They aren’t sure when they’re going to complete the move to Hattiesburg, but Fedora will begin work immediately. Mrs. Fedora said their two oldest daughters are heavily involved in gymnastics, and they hope to finish their season in Oklahoma.

“It’s just been so exciting,” she said. “I had tears in my eyes. We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. We’ve all gone through it together. Coaches families are often very close. We take care of each other.”