Over four years, Charles Huff built the Marshall Thundering Herd up to a Sun Belt Conference champion, and now Southern Miss is hoping he does the same for its program.
On Sunday, Huff was announced as the 23rd head football coach in Golden Eagles history.
“As we started this search, we were focused on finding a dynamic leader who could get our program back to competing for championships,” said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain in a statement. “Charles Huff has proven that he is a winner who can build a championship culture within the Sun Belt. We look forward to supporting him in our journey To The Top!”
Huff spent four years at Marshall, amassing a record of 32-20. This season was his best, guiding the Thundering Herd to a 10-3 record and a Sun Belt Conference Championship title, its first title since joining the conference in 2022 after 17 years in Conference USA.
But he has his work cut out for him.
The Golden Eagles finished 1-11 this season (0-8 in conference play) and lost 10 straight games to finish at the bottom of the Sun Belt.
But the Golden Eagles’ new coach is no new jack, and brings over 20 years of experience with him to Hattiesburg, MS.
Prior to his arrival at Marshall, he won a national championship at Alabama as the associate head coach/running backs coach. Before that, he spent time at Mississippi State (2018), Penn State (2014-2017), Western Michigan (2013), the Buffalo Bills (2012), Vanderbilt (2011), Hampton (2010), Maryland (2009) and Tennessee State University (2006-2008).
Huff is also recognized as a solid recruiter and helped develop players like Alabama’s Najee Harris and Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, which is great because he will need to recruit serious talent to elevate his new program.
It’s a new challenge that Huff is ready to tackle.
“My family and I could not be any happier to begin our journey in Hattiesburg as we look to continue the rich and storied history of Southern Miss football,” said Huff. “Our goal will be to build a program that can compete at the highest level and have our fan base enjoy the ability to return to bowl games on a consistent basis. I have to thank Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul, along with Athletics Director Jeremy McClain, in showing their faith in me and this staff with this tremendous opportunity and I can’t wait to hit the ground running in making this program something that we can all be proud of.”
