 Fedora left after the 2011 season to accept the head football coach position at North Carolina, leaving Southern Miss with a 34-19 overall record.Following Fedora's departure, Ellis Johnson was hired as head coach at USM away from South Carolina, where he served as defensive coordinator.A long-time and well-respected defensive coordinator of the SEC and ACC with extensive recruiting ties throughout the South, Johnson's hire was met with praise by most USM fans.