Southern Miss' first step to erasing last season's disappointing 0-12 season begins on Tuesday.

That's when the Golden Eagles kick off the first of 15 spring workouts that conclude with the annual Black and Gold Spring Game on April 20. It also marks the first chance new coach Todd Monken will have to see the 2013 Golden Eagles on the field.

"I am excited to get it started,'' Monken said. "I think they (players) are anxious to compete. We are going to force them to compete. We are looking for the guys who like football and excited to go out practice. That's where it all starts.

"The guys who try to get by and think they can play well without practice --- they are going to be mistaken. We are going to work and find the guys who want to play football."

MISSISSIPPI PRESS: Southern Miss opens spring practice under Monken

Wins and losses are made on the practice field.

I think by this time in the EJ era, he had already declared the entire team a loss. and then he preceded to prove himself correct.

Practices are Tuesday Thursday and Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm and will be open to the public, provided you don't bring a cell phone, camera, or notepad. Starting March 29, every Friday will be a scrimmage.