UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Southern Miss isn’t ready just yet to announce it has signed football coach Todd Monken to a new contract. But it will only be a matter of time, according to athletic director Bill McGillis. Monken, who recently began year four of the original four-year contract he signed upon being hired by the university, has gotten the Golden Eagles back on track after several rough seasons. Upon inheriting a 0-12 team, Monken’s squad was 1-11 in 2013 and 3-9 in 2014. But last season, he got things turned around, leading Southern Miss to a 9-5 campaign, a Conference USA West Division title and a spot last month in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Monken’s current four-year deal calls for a base salary of $700,000 annually, the fifth-highest salary among Conference USA head coaches prior to the 2015 season. Based on the same figures, Middle Tennessee’s Rick Stockstill is the highest-paid C-USA head coach at $801,504. -Jason Munz, Hattiesburg American, Read More