Marshall Rolls Dice with Doc Holliday

Doc Holliday is regarded in college football circles as one of the premier recruiters. Now the lifelong assistant coach will receive his first opportunity to run his own program. Holliday, the associate head coach at West Virginia, was introduced as Marshall’s new coach on Thursday. The 52-year-old Holliday replaces Mark Snyder, who resigned Nov. 29 after going 22-37 in five seasons. Holliday was overcome with emotion when he was introduced at an afternoon news conference, saying he wasn’t sure if he would ever get this opportunity. Athletic director Mike Hamrick calls it a “gutsy” hire because Holliday had no connection to Marshall. Hamrick said Holliday signed a five-year contract for $600,000 per season. Holliday’s first two games next season are at Ohio State and in the home opener against West Virginia. – Charleston Daily Mail

Marshall’s Mark Snyder gets a reprieve

When Bowling Green receiver Freddie Barnes made his only drop of the game to preserve Marshall’s 17-10 non-conference win Saturday night, Thundering Herd coach Mark Snyder put his hands on his head along the sideline. It would have made a wonderful portrait entitled “Relief.” The game was over. His tenure as coach continues. Call the victory what you want: an injunction, a bandage or a stay of execution. But the call from the governor came through in the form of Brian Anderson rolling right and hitting Antavious Wilson for a touchdown. It came in the form of Darius Marshall dashing 80 yards down the sideline for a score. It came in the form of a defense that cut Bowling Green’s average offensive output in half. “I’ve not coached that hard in four years,” said an exhausted Snyder as he made his way to his office. “I have no voice.” The man is giving his all. Because he has to. The MU natives are restless. And if the 3-point spot Bowling Green was giving Marshall at Joan C. Edwards Stadium wasn’t an accurate measure of the team’s strength, it was an indicator of how desperate times had become. – Gazette-Mail

Mark Snyder on Heat Seat at Marshall

The Thundering Herd haven’t had a winning season since joining Conference USA in 2005, and each of the past four losing campaigns came during Snyder’s watch. Snyder, a former Ohio State defensive coordinator, has a 16-31 record at his alma mater, including a 4-8 mark in 2008. Worse, home attendance at Joan C. Edwards Stadium dipped below an average of 25,000 per game last season. Marshall brings back eight starters on defense, but still hasn’t settled on a starting quarterback. The Thundering Herd went 1-5 in road games last season, and they play at Virginia Tech and West Virginia this year. Snyder might need to lead Marshall to a bowl game in 2009 to save his job. – ESPN.com

Rapid Fire: Focus on Marshall and Clemson

“Rapid Fire” at Football Rumor Mill focuses on multiple coaches around the country who are in serious jeopardy. The latest edition centers on Marshall and Clemson…

Marshall

Saturday, I saw Snyder on a rerun local TV clip talking about the Edwards Stadium “White Out” for Cincinnati’s visit that turned ugly. Now, it’s a “Green Out” against the Cougars? Snyder needs to worry that it isn’t a Wipe Out - because if it is, he may be on the way to a Wash Out. He needs to forget about what goes on in the seats. Win, and you sell tickets. Marshall (3-4, 2-1) has more than given back what it gained with its 2-0 Conference USA divisional start, but what roils the Herdheads who are increasingly hounding Snyder is this: The program just hasn’t improved - or at least shown it - for whatever reason. And the buck stops with the head coach, whether he’s named Stagg, Saban, Schwartzalder or Snyder… If the Herd doesn’t get at least two more to finish 5-7, Snyder might be a former coach at his alma mater. My preseason crystal ball had MU at 6-6, but I always thought that Snyder could hang on at 5-7 because it would be an improvement from last season’s 3-9 finish. Now, the noise is so loud, I’m not sure. The rumors are ugly … Athletic Director Bob Marcum will be booted if he doesn’t can Snyder, 43. High rollers will roll over President Steve Kopp to get a new coach. Jim Donnan is waiting in the wings to return. – Daily Mail

Clemson

By the end of this month, Clemson fans curious about their program’s direction should spout those same words, with a twist: “Are you better off than you were four games ago?” Your answer might decide Dabo Swinney’s future. After a much-hyped debut and a week off, the Tigers’ popular interim coach embarks on a four-game stretch which will largely determine whether he will be packing his bags or getting comfortable in Tommy Bowden’s old office come Dec. 1. – Independent Mail

The Firing Line: Focus on Herd Coach Mark Snyder

“The Firing Line” at Football Rumor Mill focuses on coaches around the country who are in serious jeopardy. The latest edition centers on Marshall Coach Mark Snyder…

Even after one of the most disappointing defeats in his four-season tenure, Marshall football Coach Mark Snyder has no reason to concern himself with the possibility of a midseason firing. How can he be so worry-free? His boss says so. Reached on his cell phone Sunday night, MU Athletic Director Bob Marcum said he and President Stephen Kopp are behind Snyder. “I certainly support him,” Marcum said. “And I know the president does, too. We support our coaches and we support our players.” Marcum’s comments came one day after Snyder’s team relinquished a 14-2 lead in a 23-21 loss to Conference USA cellar-dweller UAB, a three-point underdog that entered its homecoming game with a 1-6 overall record, 0-3 league mark and three-game losing streak. The Thundering Herd dropped to 3-4, 2-1. Marshall, however, still is tied with East Carolina atop the East Division standings despite its third consecutive loss, all of which have been rather embarrassing efforts. – Daily Mail

A month ago, the Herd beat Southern Mississippi on the road and looked like a lead-pipe cinch to land a bowl berth. If Snyder and company pull that off now, I’ll mow the coach’s grass during his next summer vacation. It’s more likely this team will finish 3-9, maybe 4-8. Since peaking in Hattiesburg, it has often looked uninspired and inattentive to detail. – Charleston Gazette