Time for Marshall to name new coach

I'm a fan of college football, and, in particular Marshall University.

I was graduated from Marshall in 1971. I didn't see The Herd win a football game until my junior year.

Marshall's football fortunes changed in 1984 when Stan Parrish, now head football coach at Ball State University, led The Herd to its first winning season in ages. MU then reeled off winning seasons on a regular basis, claiming two Div. I-AA National Championships, advancing to the title game on several other occasions, going 13-0 and finishing in the Top 10 in 1999 and finishing the Top 25 on a couple of other occasions.

Things turned sour after Bob Pruett (at right with stars Randy Moss and Chad Pennington), a part-time resident of Sarasota, Fla., departed suddenly after the 2004 season. Marshall grad Mark Snyder, who played on The Herd's national finalist team in 1987, was named to replace Pruett. Snyder came to MU from Ohio State where he served as defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes under Jim Tressel.

Marshall hasn't had a winning season since.

Whether it was Snyder's fault is anyone's guess. I have nothing against Snyder and I'm sure he gave it his best shot. But his best season among five was this year's version which finished 6-6 and is headed for the Little Caesar's Bowl in Detroit to face the Ohio University Bobcats.

From my viewpoint, what needs to take place is multi-faceted. Marshall needs to hire an up-and-coming coach as soon as possible. Then, the MU administration must make a commitment to winning football. The fan base is dwindling and the school's athletic budget is suffering. Losing seasons and poor play add up to empty seats.

Fans deserve hope. They deserve effort on the field. They need to feel proud of their team. When that happens, they turn out.

Players, I'm sure, can sense the frustration. They see the empty seats. They hear the rumors. They know when the fans doubt them.

And it's reflected in their play.

MU fans have spoken loudly by not attending games. That can be changed by hiring a dynamic coach.

Marshall football long has been known for exciting, high-powered offense and enthusiastic play.

The Herd needs to get back to that style.

Points equal wins. And wins equal fans.

The longer the administration waits to name a new coach, the more qualified candidates remove their collective hats from the ring.

Those rumored to be candidates include Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones, Wake Forest assistant Brad Lambert (a former MU assistant), Florida State assistant Rick Trickett, Arkansas assistant Paul Petrino and Pruett, the former Marshall head coach.

I would like to see a new coach announced no later than this weekend. It's important for a number of reasons, most of all recruiting.