HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Jeff Bower ended one of college football's longest coaching runs Monday when he resigned at Southern Mississippi.
Bower capped his 14th consecutive winning season Saturday and ends a 29-year relationship as player and coach with the Golden Eagles despite accepting his 10th bowl invitation in the last 11 seasons.
Though he resigned after 17 years as head coach, a terse Bower did not sound like it was completely voluntary.
"I want you to know there's a lot of fight left in Jeff Bower, and I am not done yet," the grim-faced coach said.
Bower did not take questions after making a short statement flanked by his wife and daughter. He resigned earlier Monday after meeting with athletic director Richard Giannini.
Giannini said fan discontent had grown during a season when the Golden Eagles were expected to win the Conference USA title, but fell short at 7-5.
"I said all along I was disappointed and people were disappointed in the season, and I don't change that statement," Giannini said.
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