One month after playing in its bowl game, Southern Miss is suddenly in need of a new coach.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Sunday that they have hired Todd Monken to be their new offensive coordinator.
“I am very excited to add a coach with the type of experience and tenacity that Todd brings,” said Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter in a statement. “I have always been impressed with his approach to the game as well as his ability to teach concepts and get the best out of his players. During his more than 25-year coaching career, he has made a name for himself as a very successful offensive coordinator and head coach on the collegiate level. Todd also happens to be a terrific receivers coach with a proven track record of helping his players reach their true potential. We are fortunate to have him join our staff."
This is obviously bad news for Southern Miss.
It's not just the timing of the news that stings, as you never want to begin your coaching search in late January when the carousel has stopped spinning -- let alone just a few weeks before National Signing Day. Monken had just started to get things going in the right direction in Hattiesburg.
After going 4-20 in his first two seasons at Southern Miss, Monken led the Golden Eagles to a 9-5 mark in 2015 (7-1 in Conference USA play). That record was enough to win C-USA's West Division.
Monken's offensive coordinator experience stems from stints with Eastern Michigan (1989-99) and Oklahoma State (2011-12), while his only NFL experience came as wide receivers coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2007-10.
Should the Golden Eagles look for an in-house replacement, there are some interesting options. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's only head coaching experience is in the high school ranks, while defensive coordinator David Duggan served as head coach of the NFL Europe's Cologne Centurions for two seasons. Assistant head coach Jon Williams, entering his second year with the program, led Itawamba Community College for four years.
