HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Southern Mississippi has hired Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken as its next football coach.

The 46-year-old Monken was introduced during a Tuesday afternoon press conference on campus. He comes to the Golden Eagles after two successful seasons leading the Cowboys' high-scoring offense, which is averaging nearly 45 points per game this season.

It's the second time in five seasons that Southern Miss has brought in an Oklahoma State offensive coordinator to lead the program.

The Golden Eagles hired Larry Fedora away from the Cowboys after the 2007 season. He finished with a 34-19 record over four years at Southern Miss before leaving to become North Carolina's coach.

Monken replaces Ellis Johnson, who was fired on Nov. 27 after finishing with a 0-12 record in one disappointing season.

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