In December 2012, Southern Miss was a mess.
The Golden Eagles, who had been riding high less than a year earlier on the strength of a Conference USA Championship and a Top 25 ranking, crumbled during an 0-12 season. It was Ellis Johnson’s first and only year as head coach.
The worst record in school history, which ultimately cost Johnson his job, was accompanied by a litany of problem areas. The revolving door at quarterback topped the list. Four different quarterbacks made at least two starts that season, and a fifth saw action in a pair of games.