Southern Miss discusses the future of its football program

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Following the firing of head coach Will Hall, Southern Miss Athletics discussed what’s next for Golden Eagles football.

USM athletic director Jeremy McClain explained his decision to fire Hall midseason.

“We want the best for the young men in the locker room,” McClain said.

“I think it can be very difficult for anyone to make a decision at the beginning of the year.

It’s not like we wanted to make this decision sooner, but it wasn’t on the table until the middle of the year.

We let it flow, we understood where we were as a football team and we just got far enough into the year that it made sense.”

Hall was fired Sunday after losing 44-28 at home to Arkansas State on Saturday. Assistant head coach/general manager Reed Stringer has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024 season.

USM: Fired head coach Will Hall; Reed Stringer will take over as interim director

When asked about the process of finding a new head coach, McClain said his program is an attractive place for candidates.

“It’s a really, really good football job.

I believe that with every fiber of my being. This is a place where you can win. This is a place where you can win at a high level.

We are in a great football league and this will be a job that is in high demand and one that people want. My phone would confirm that immediately.”

McClain also discussed USM’s criteria for a head football coach.

“I think the profile is wide open,” he said.

“I think there are some things that are really important. I think the job has changed a lot in the last five years.

I think you have to have someone managing the (transfer) portal, managing names, images and likenesses and being able to hire the right people.”

McClain also said local ties to Southern Miss and the southern region are on his search list, but not at the top.

The Golden Eagles currently have a 1-6 record this season and have posted a 14-30 record under Hall’s leadership.

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