Hattiesburg, MS -- (Sports Network) - Southern Mississippi football head coach Jeff Bower has resigned.

Bower, a Southern Miss alum, will stay with the program and coach the team in the Papajohns.com Bowl on December 22, the school announced on Monday.

"Southern Miss has been a significant part of my life for my family and me for a very long time," Bower said. "To have played here, received my education here, coached here and now to have a daughter who is a student here is a great blessing.

"My family and I would like to thank the many fans who have become a part of our family over the years. I would also like to say a special thank you to the many young men -- both players and coaches -- who have joined me in giving their all to this program. I am proud that we run a clean program -- we've run it with integrity, we've won games and most importantly -- our student- athletes have left Southern Miss with a degree."

The Golden Eagles finished this season 7-5, marking the program's 14th straight winning campaign, and will be making their 10th trip to bowl game in 11 years.

"Coach Bower has made important contributions to the growth of the football program and we owe him our thanks," Southern Miss President Martha D. Saunders said. "He has earned a prominent place in Southern Miss athletic history. Now, we are looking forward to even greater levels of excellence in the years to come."

Bower has guided Southern Miss to a record of 119-82-1 and four Conference USA championships in 17 seasons. The Golden Eagles' last title came in 2003 and they lost the C-USA title game to Houston in 2006.

"We want to take this opportunity to thank Jeff for his loyalty to The University of Southern Mississippi and for his coaching achievements over the last 17 years," Southern Miss Athletic Director Richard Giannini. "We really wish him the best in the future and I know he will go down in history as one of our most outstanding coaches."

According to the Clarion-Ledger, Bower was told Monday morning he would no longer be the coach of his alma mater despite a 14th consecutive winning season in 2007.