Marshall University head football coach Tony Gibson answers questions during a press conference at the Brad D. Smith Business Innovation Center in Huntington, West Virginia, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 (Ryan Fischer/Herald・Via dispatch) AP)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Marshall withdrew from the Independence Bowl after a coaching change sent much of the roster into the transfer portal.
The Thundering Herd was scheduled to play Army on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. However, Independence Bowl and Louisiana Tech announced Saturday that the Bulldogs would instead face the 19th-ranked Black Knights.
Marshall said he withdrew “because we fell below the minimum roster that is considered medically safe.”
Last weekend, the Herd (10-3) defeated Louisiana Lafayette 31-3 to win its first Sun Belt Conference Championship. The program has won seven straight games in the same season for the first time since 2020.
“The nature and timing of this announcement and the disruption it causes to bowl season preparations for Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference, and ESPN,” Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill said in a statement. I apologize for what happened.”
Coach Charles Huff left Marshall last Sunday for Southern Miss, and less than an hour later his replacement, North Carolina State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, was announced.
At least 25 Marshall players entered the transfer portal through Thursday.
Upon arriving on Huntington’s campus, Gibson held a meeting and introduced himself to the team. He then called, texted and had more meetings on Friday and Saturday.
“It’s always emotional when a coach leaves to take another job,” Gibson said during Thursday’s press conference. “And 18- to 22-year-olds are going to be making emotional decisions instead of just taking a day or two to breathe.”
This is Louisiana Tech’s first bowl since 2020 (5-7). The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games but haven’t played since a 33-0 win over Kennesaw State on Nov. 30.
“We are thrilled to accept the opportunity for Army to compete in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl against a great and storied program,” Louisiana Tech athletic director Ryan Ivey said in a release. . “Our football program is moving toward a positive structure and we believe the opportunity to play in this bowl will further build that momentum. We look forward to coming to Shreveport for this matchup. .”
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