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And after he asked for a second take:

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œWhy did you agree to take on this program?ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œRelationships,ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥� Huff began. ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œI think relationships are important. Being in this league for four years, I got a chance to spend time with (Southern Miss athletic director) Jeremy McClain over the course of Sun Belt ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥ Days and those types of things. I have a lot of respect for how he runs his program.

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œWe built that relationship four years ago and professionally cultivated it through meetings and those types of deals.ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

Huff led Marshall to the Sun Belt Conference championship last season, then left the Thundering Herd the next day to take over a 1-11 Southern Miss program. Why?

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œYou look at it from a resource standpoint,ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥� Huff said. ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œLook at our facilities. We are one of the top three in the conference, easily. You look at the revenue-sharing model that we have in place ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥” weÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™re in a good position. You look at the community and the ability to continue to generate resources.

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œWhen you put that together and combine that with the history and tradition of a place like Southern Miss, why not?ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

Most of HuffÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™s time on the stage was spent answering the question of how to balance expectations.

HeÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™s taking over what was a 1-11 program. He also brought a significant chunk of a championship team along with him by transfer from Huntington.

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œBut 1-11 doesnÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™t scare me because IÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™m working in application, not theory,ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥� Huff said. ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œI have a plan that works. I know it works. It takes good players. It takes going out and recruiting. It takes investing your time. I know the plan works, so 1-11 doesnÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™t scare me.ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

He also said recruiting improves in the South, saying, ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œFootball matters in the South.ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œI was shocked that they didnÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™t have ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥” I thought maybe (retired former Alabama and LSU) coach (Nick) Saban couldÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™ve come back and took over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, when we look at the possibilities that were out there,ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥� Huff said. ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œThe resources, the possibilities and the relationships are surely what drove me.ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

HuffÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™s move shows light on another side of modern-day big-time college football. He said Southern Miss will bring in about 80 new players. Multiple teams who took the stage for media day on Tuesday have well more than 50 new players. ItÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™s the new norm.

Southern Miss linebacker Chris Jones, a native of Mississippi, praised Huff. Huff lauded his loyalty, as he turned down offers from other schools.

Jones shared a sad side of loyalty.

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œItÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™s hard to gain friends,ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥� Jones said. ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œIn this game these days, with the transfer department and all ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥” you build great relationships, and your friend goes to another school. Now, you have to build relationships for the future. This is how the game goes now. I learned to accept that this game is a business, and thatÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™s how it goes.ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

The Golden Eagles are picked fifth in the SBC West, which Huff also called the best division while comparing it to Michael Jordan. He said that projection may be too high, considering the circumstances.

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œNo. We were 1-11,ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥� Huff said when asked if the placement felt disrespectful. ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œWe should have been dead last. ThatÃÛ·èÖ±²¥™s the reality of it ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥” you are what you are, and we embrace it.

ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥œWhoever voted us fifth, you must have had too much out on Bourbon Street.ÃÛ·èÖ±²¥�

Marshall will take the stage on Wednesday in New Orleans, along with the rest of the SBC East teams.