For whatever reasons Larry Eustachy found the Southern Miss head men’s basketball job appealing, one thing right now appeals the most to the new Eagles coach.

There is talent in this state, and it’s almost a shame the program has been on hard times in recent seasons.

It’s something that is hard to believe, but you’ve also got to remember he or we are not the only ones to realize that fact. Coaches in the other 49 states know that too, and all you have to do is follow some of the careers of the state’s top talents.

Or look at three standouts from Natchez High three seasons ago and where they’re at this season &045; Je’Kel Foster at Ohio State, Vas’Shun Newborne at St. Louis and Chris Logan at Loyola of Chicago.

There is basketball talent there, and it’s up to Eustachy to seize the opportunity and build the program at USM to where Reed-Green Coliseum won’t ever be mistaken for the athletic study hall again.

&8220;You can take all the jobs I’ve had combined, and all the states I’ve coached in combined, and there’s more players in Mississippi than those places together,&8221; said Eustachy, a former assistant at Mississippi State who went on to Idaho, Utah State and Iowa State.

&8220;It’s nice.&8221;

It’s also nice that the one-time troubled coach from Iowa State has gotten his life back together, is back doing what he truly enjoys and may have the least pressure to win of any coach in the state this season.

Not that Eustachy needs to be prodded to win &045; his worst season as a head coach was a 15-15 mark in his first season at Iowa State. The prodding may be needed for the fans and supporters of USM athletics, who haven’t turned out in recent seasons for the basketball program.

You can call it fickle, but the fact remains the Eagles’ postseason highlights can be documented on the back of a Strick’s Barbecue lunch receipt &045; two appearances in the NCAA tournament without a win.

&8220;We have a good fan base with the football team and the baseball team,&8221; center Jasper Johnson said. &8220;We just have to win the fans over. Nobody likes to follow a loser. We’ve got to go out and make it happen for the fans and the community.&8221;

The new coach has a job ahead of him, and it surely won’t be easy. Another reason the Eagles have struggled on the hardwood in recent seasons is just due to the tough Conference USA and the caliber of talent there.

That’s been a big stumbling block for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams since the conference was formed almost 10 years ago.

The job of turning the Eagles into a winner won’t be an easy one. The new coach, who said Thursday he’s more comfortable in this job than any prior to it, is ready to work.

&8220;There’s tradition here, but it’s way back,&8221; Eustachy said. &8220;Recent tradition, for the most part, hasn’t been here. You’ve got to wear a lot of hats here &045; you’ve got to sell seats, sell popcorn &045; but I enjoy that. I’m looking forward to it.&8221;

Everyone in the state will be watching.

Adam Daigle

is sports editor of The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at (601) 445-3632 or by e-mail at

adam.daigle@natchezdemocrat.com

.