The change in coaching staffs at Southern Miss has brought new energy and enthusiasm to the program, but new coach Larry Fedora knows the expectations haven't changed for the Golden Eagles.

"Our goal is to compete for the conference championship, and it will be every year," Fedora said. "We are at a level where we ought to compete for the conference championship each and every season."

Former coach Jeff Bower led Southern Miss to 14 consecutive winning seasons, 10 bowls in the past 11 seasons and five conference or division titles but a faction of influential boosters decided the program had grown stale and it was time to make a change.

For all the excitement Fedora has generated since he was hired in mid-December, the reality is that the Golden Eagles return ...More