MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Fillingane, Scott, Bentz, Davis, Dedeaux, Holland, Lane, Lott, Peranich, Read, Simpson, Smith (59th), Walley, Weathersby
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH JEFF BOWER FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SUCCESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENT AS HEAD COACH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GOLDEN EAGLES FOOTBALL TEAM.
WHEREAS, Jeff Bower, the head coach of the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Football Team, recently completed his 15th season as head football coach at USM, which is the second longest tenure at the school after Thad "Pie" Vann; and
WHEREAS, Coach Bower ranks second in the nation for years coached by an active coach at his alma mater, ranks fifth in the nation in years coached by an active coach at one institution, and he is the dean of coaches in Conference USA, being the only coach in the conference who has coached during each year of the league since its formation in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Coach Bower has led the Golden Eagles to seven or more victories nine times in the past 10 years, one of only 12 teams in the nation to do so, and he won his 100th career victory with the win over UAB on October 21, 2005, making him the 20th active coach in the nation to accomplish that feat; and
WHEREAS, under Coach Bower's leadership, USM has won an unprecedented four Conference USA championships, in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2003, and it is the only school in the conference to have posted three undefeated league records, including an 8-0 record in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Coach Bower has been honored several times for his outstanding success in Conference USA, being selected as Conference USA Coach of the Year an unprecedented three times, in 1996, 1999 and 2003, and being named as the conference Coach of the Decade in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Coach Bower's Golden Eagles have earned 42 All-American honors, including at least one All-American being named in each of the past nine years and seven Freshman All-American honors in the past 10 years, and he has coached seven Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year selections; and
WHEREAS, the Golden Eagles of Coach Bower were honored for the third year in a row by the American Football Coaches Association for producing a graduation rate of 70% or better, one of only 30 teams with such an accomplishment; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and
commend the excellence and many contributions of outstanding
Mississippians such as Coach Jeff Bower, who has taught the
values of competition and sportsmanship to countless young
athletes during his career:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we commend and congratulate Coach Jeff Bower for his many years of success and accomplishment as head coach of the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Football Team, and we extend the best wishes of the Legislature to him in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Jeff Bower and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.