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(November 26, 2007) Breaking News USM's Bower Out After Almost 20 Years HATTIESBURG – The Internet is abuzz this afternoon (26-Nov-07) about USM football coach, Jeff Bower, departing the University after almost two decades. While ESPN is reporting that Bower has resigned as USM's head football coach, both The Clarion Ledger and The Hattiesburg American are reporting that Bower was fired. Insiders are reporting on Internet message boards like EagleTalk.net and eaglepost.net that Bower was provided with a nice financial package and asked to resign during a morning meeting with USM's Athletics Director, but Bower refused the settlement and was consequently fired.

(November 27, 2007) Special Report Can USM’s “New” President Swim in the Deep End? A Look at Departure of Jeff Bower Members of the “Southern Miss family,” both near and far, were shocked to see the 26-Nov-07 news headlines indicating that long-time USM head football coach, Jeff Bower, had been fired. That news came less than 48 hours after Bower had polished off Arkansas State University by a score of 16-10 on Senior Day at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg.

(November 29, 2007) Breaking News Saunders is All Over the Place on Bower Firing Debacle HATTIESBURG – About 72 hours after USM football coach Jeff Bower “resigned” his post, USM President Martha Saunders spoke on the matter before a gathering of Lions Club members in Biloxi. Fortunately, beat reporter Melissa Scallan of The Sun Herald was on the scene to capture what was said (see article below), because Saunders shocked many in the crowd with her responses to questions from Sallan and others.

(November 30, 2007) Memo to Mr. Mills Mr. Mills, it’s difficult to read your 29 November 2007 letter to the editor of USM’s The Student Printz, inserted just below, and not agree with the general spirit of it. For instance, I agree that Jeff Bower’s departure was not really a “resignation.” It seems clear that Bower was forced out. And, we’re in the company of famed Mississippi sports writer, Rick Cleveland, on that one. As far as AD Richard Giannini is concerned, he’s been as much an anchor around USM’s neck as he has been a positive influence on USM’s athletics situation over the past decade.