After 11 seasons leading the Thundering Herd, coming off a 7-3 season and after being named Conference USA Coach of the Year for a second time, Doc Holliday was informed last week that his contract wasn't being renewed.
The foundation that Doc and his staff built at Marshall during his time with the Thundering Herd have made it one of the more attractive Group of Five jobs and the opening has drawn interest from some solid candidates.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail shares that six candidates are set to interview this week, and among them are some up-and-coming coaches, as well as coaches with a previous coaching or playing history with the Thundering Herd.
One of the coaches that would certainly fall into the up-and-coming territory is Alabama associate head coach / running backs coach Charles Huff, who is widely considered to be one of the top recruiters in football. Huff has coached a number of positions on the offensive side of the ball and held coordinator roles at Penn State (special teams coordinator) and Mississippi State (run game coordinator).
Huff, now fresh off a national title with the Tide, has worked with some of the most impressive running backs in the game from Najee Harris to Saquon Barkley.
Of the candidates mentioned, Huff's resume most closely resembles that of Doc Holliday's before he landed at Marshall. Both guys served as assistant head coaches at a few stops and recruiting coordinators along the way, and learned under some of the game's top minds as well but neither previously served as a primary play offensive or defensive play caller.
Current Thundering Herd defensive coordinator Brad Lambert is also expected to be considered, with the report adding that athletic director Mike Hamrick is "believed to be a strong advocate" for the sole in-house candidate.
Another guy "expected to receive an interview" is Philadelphia Eagles assistant tight ends coach and former Marshall standout TE Mike Bartrum. As someone with deep ties to Marshall as a player, Bartrum went on to spend 13 seasons in the NFL with four different teams. He spent some time as the head coach at his alma mater Meigs HS (OH) before heading to the NFL in 2019 at Philly, where he ended his playing career in 2006.
According to The Gazette-Mail, there are three other coaches that are expected to get interviews and include Virginia special teams coordinator / tight ends coach Ricky Brumfield, Louisville offensive coordinator / offensive line coach Dwyane Ledford, and Georgia tight ends coach (and former Marshall assistant) Todd Hartley.
Head here to read the full report.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest in coaching job change information.