Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Roster 2019 Eagles Roster

Head Coach: Jay Hopson        2017 Salary: $500,000        Offensive Coordinator: Shannon Dawson       Defensive Coordinator: Tim Billings/Derek Nicholson         

Stadium: M.M. Roberts Stadium       Surface: Turf        City: Hattiesburg        State: Mississippi

After winning seasons each of the past two years, the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles figure to take a step back this season as too many questions abound on defense and at quarterback. The Golden Eagles seem to win games they should lose and vice versa. The inconsistency of the program provides for entertainment while at the same time frustrating the team’s fans to no end. By every metric, Southern Mississippi should have been a great team last season, but there is a sense that its window for greatness has passed at least for now. The team figures to have instability at quarterback after seemingly switching quarterbacks every week last season. There is still no undisputed starter for the Golden Eagles. The problem with the offense is that it simply fails to show up on certain weeks. The firepower is simply not there to rectify that problem this season.

The defensive weakness in 2018 will be an inexperienced secondary that will be vulnerable to being picked apart with frequency. The defensive front will have to reach opposing quarterbacks quickly because, if they are given time to throw, they will likely find success against Southern Miss. Paxton Schrimsher and Racheem Booth will once again anchor the defensive line. Another bowl game is likely for the Golden Eagles, but do not look for the team to have a shot at dominance. The key stretch is a late-season slate of key conference games. Last season, the Golden Eagles faltered late, but hope to avoid a repeat this season.