While the NFL has blanked Black head coaches so far in their recent head coaching hires, college football moved forward.
Marshall announced that they hired Charles Huff to become the university’s new head football coach. Huff, Alabama’s associate head coach/running backs coach, now becomes the 12th Black head coach in the FBS and the first hired this offseason.
The Thundering Herd parted ways with Doc Holiday after eleven years with the program, and he’s left some big shoes to fill. The team went 85-54 during his tenure, with a Conference USA title in 2014 and three division championships. This past season they finished 7-3 and he won Conference USA Coach of Year for the second time in his career.
Now Marshsall gets a fresh face with a great resume.
Huff, coming off a national championship with the Crimson Tide, has 17 years of coaching experience on both the collegiate and pro levels. His resume includes stops time with Mississippi State (2018), Penn State (2014-2017), Western Michigan (2013), the Buffalo Bills (2012), Vanderbilt (2011), Hampton (2010), Maryland (2009) and Tennessee State University (2006-2008). He’s also recognized as a solid recruiter and helped develop players like Alabama’s Najee Harris and Penn State’s Saquon Barkley.
“We are thrilled to have Charles Huff as Marshall’s new head football coach,” said Marshall’s Athletic Director Mike Hamrick. “We believe Coach Huff will build upon the proud and rich tradition of Thundering Herd football and elevate the program to new heights. We can’t wait to get to work on moving our program forward. The future of our great university is very bright.”
Hamrick should feel confident and thrilled, especially as Huff received the blessing from his boss, Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“We couldn’t be any happier for Charles and his family. He has done an excellent job for us, and we are pleased and happy to see him get the well-deserved opportunity to run his program. We always want our coaches to grow and advance in the profession and Charles has worked very hard to earn this opportunity. We truly appreciate all that he has done to contribute to the success we’ve had at Alabama and wish him the best at Marshall.”
Huff’s contract, as obtained by West Virginia Metro News, definitely has the Thundering Herd’s new head coach smiling. No wonder he’s ready to get to work.
“My family and I are so excited to be joining the Marshall University football program,” said coach Huff. “The history, tradition and passionate fan base this university has is second to none. To the current players, former players, fans and supporters, it’s time to unite like never before. We’ve got work to do and we need everyone working together to take this program to the next level! The process begins now. We Are Marshall.”
