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Larry Fedora, whose Oklahoma State offense ranked among the more balanced and productive attacks in college football, is leaving the Cowboys to become the new head football coach at Southern Mississippi.

A source close to the OSU program said Fedora is expected to be introduced as the Golden Eagles' new coach during a Wednesday press conference in Hattiesburg, Miss. Southern Miss is in Conference USA.

Fedora, 45, joined OSU's staff as the offensive coordinator in January 2005, after Mike Gundy was appointed the head coach.

Fedora immediately will begin work at Southern Miss, the source indicated, and will not be involved in coaching the Cowboy offense when OSU (6-6) faces Indiana (7-5) in the Dec. 31 Insight Bowl at Tempe, Ariz.

It is believed that Gundy will not hire a new offensive coordinator until next month, after the bowl game. Gundy is expected to coordinate the offense in advance of the Insight Bowl, and to call plays during the game.

On Monday, while discussing the possibility that Fedora could depart for Southern Miss, Gundy said he likes Fedora's schemes and would want to continue with a similarly-styled attack.

The 2007 Cowboys average 484.1 total yards per game -- the second-best average

After OSU capped 2006 with an Independence Bowl win, it is believed that Fedora was offered the offensive coordinator position at Alabama and LSU, along with the head-coaching job at Rice. OSU responded by making Fedora one of the better-paid assistants in college football. Fedora's three-year contract was replaced by a five-year deal, and his pay went from $258,000 annually to $393,000.

Terms of Fedora's Southern Miss deal have not been announced, but Gundy predicted on Monday that Fedora may command as much as $1 million a year. Fedora succeeds Jeff Bower, who resigned last month after having been the USM head coach for 17 seasons. Before taking the USM job, Bower was OSU's offensive coordinator in 1990.

During his negotiations with Southern Miss athletic director Richard Giannini, Fedora reportedly requested a total sum of $1.2 million per year for Golden Eagle assistants. This season, Southern Miss assistants collectively were paid $800,000. Fedora also reportedly requested multi-year deals for at least some USM staff members.

It seems possible, if not likely, that Cowboy offensive line coach Joe Wickline will follow Fedora to Southern Miss. Wickline and Fedora have coached together for seven seasons. At OSU, Wickline has a five-year contract worth $213,000 annually.

Before three seasons at OSU, Fedora was on the Florida staff in 2002-04. His 2004 Gators led the Southeastern Conference in passing offense and total offense.

During his first season with the Cowboys, Fedora's offense lacked the talent to make his no-huddle spread attack function at a consistent level. But in 2006, OSU was one of only two Division I-A teams (Boise State) to average at least 200 rushing yards and 200 passing yards per game.

This year, OSU ranks No. 7 nationally in rushing offense and ninth in total offense. Sophomore QB Zac Robinson did not become the starter until the third game of the season, but went on to break the school record for single-season total offense.

The 2007 Cowboys are the only team in the nation with averages of at least 238 rushing yards and 238 passing yards per game.

During a span of eight straight games, OSU averaged 276.4 rushing yards, 264.1 passing yards, 540.5 total yards and 38.1 points.

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com