Under Brad Lambert, this season Marshall's defense lead the nation in scoring defense. However, Lambert, after not being selected as head coach, chose to leave for the co-defensive coordinator position at Purdue.
New Marshall head coach Charles Huff had to make some difficult decisions as he built his Thundering Herd staff.
We like to remind folks this time of year, while doors close for some, they also open opportunities for others.
As today has progressed, the picture of Huff's defensive staff at Marshall has started to take shape.
Sources tell FootballScoop Huff has verbal agreement, subject to customary background checks and required clearances, to make the following hires:
Defensive coordinator: Lance Guidry - FAU safeties coach. Guidry, who formerly served as head coach at McNeese State, earned accolades for his time as defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky and also served as defensive coordinator at both McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana.
Defensive backs: Dominique Bowman - UT Martin co-defensive coordinator / defensive backs. Guidry typically works with the safeties, so Bowman might just work the corners; or perhaps Guidry will oversee all and allow Bowman to run all the defensive backs. Bowman served as co-defensive coordinator at Austin Peay before returning to Martin recently. Bowman was recognized by the AFCA with a 35 under 35 leadership invite.
Defensive line: Ralph Street - Florida A&M defensive coordinator. A Marshall alumnus, Street is a college coaching veteran who also previously served as the defensive coordinator at Prairie View A&M (FCS - TX) and has also coached the defensive lines at Alcorn State. As a defensive lineman at Marshall he was a team captain and All-MAC selection and the Thundering Herd went an impressive 44-8 during his time with the program.
Linebackers: Shannon Morrison - Eastern Kentucky. Morrison has been at EKU since early 2016, coaching linebackers two seasons and defensive backs three. He previously coached at Ball State, Cincinnati, Memphis, Bowling Green, Lehigh, SEMO, Hampden-Sydney, Sam Houston State...and at Marshall, his alma mater. As a player, Morrison helped the Thundering Herd win the '92 National Championship (FCS) and finish runner up in both '91 & '93.
On the offensive side of the ball, sources tell FootballScoop offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey is being retained; but sources tell FootballScoop the offensive side will have fresh faces as well.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.