Marshall Football: Herd takes trip to Spring Hill Cemetery

Great story on WSAZ.com about a special trip Marshall's football team took to Spring Hill Cemetery yesterday. I could try to sum it up but, sportscaster Keith Morehouse does a much better job here, video included. Make sure you give it a look, not to be missed.

*UPDATE* Marshall set to announce new women's basketball coach

*Update*
Matt Daniel was officially named the new woman's basketball coach at Marshall University during a news conference earlier today. Read the full press release from Marshall athletics here.

*Original Post*
Per the Herald Dispatch, Marshall University will hold a press conference tomorrow announcing Matt Daniel as it's new women's basketball coach.

Daniel has been the head coach at Central Arkansas University for the past three seasons. During that time he has accumulated a 72-49 record. Last season Daniel lead the Sugar Bears to a Southland Conference regular season championship and a WNIT appearance.

You can read the Herald Dispatch's story on Daniel here.

Marshall Basketball: Controversy surrounding 12'-13' Capital Classic

It looks like Marshall University's annual basketball match-up against WVU will take place twice in 2012.

Per Chuck Landon of the Herald Dispatch, next seasons Capital Classic is set for December 5th, a full month and a half sooner than it's typical late January tip off. Landon reports that WVU forced the change in order to accommodate an early 2013 out of conference game against Gonzaga.

In a separate article, Landon took Mountaineers athletic director to task for the switch. Specifically, the early December tip off means West Virginia's state legislator will not be in session during the game.

Marshall Basketball: Fernandez steps down

Per the Twitter account of WMUL sports director Adam Rodgers, Marshall basketball assistant Jorge Fernandez has resigned his position. Fernandez joined Tom Herrion's staff last June from the University of Miami.

According to Rodgers, Fernandez stepped down due to family reasons.

Volleyball series with WVU discontinued

WSAZ sportscaster Keith Morehouse brought up an interesting point on Twitter today. Morehouse noticed that Marshall's volleyball schedule, released earlier this week, did not include WVU.

According to Morehouse's tweet, the Herd and Mountaineers have faced off each season for almost 35 years. No word  from either school on the sudden hiatus. 

*UPDATE* Marshall Basketball: Robert Goff tears meniscus?

*Update*
Per Doug Smock's Inside Marshall Sports Blog, Goff had arthroscopic knee surgery this week and is expected to make a full recovery by next basketball season.

*Original Post*
According to his Twitter account, Marshall University basketball player Robert Goff underwent surgery this morning to repair a torn meniscus. Goff finished the 2011-2012 season in good health so it appears the injury occurred this offseason. Besides Goff’s Twitter account no other source has confirmed the injury or surgery.

An important member of Marshall’s front court along with fellow junior college transfer Dennis Tinnon, Goff started 33 of 35 games last year. During that time he averaged 6.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. 

Marshall Football: Herd scouting Florida this week

Marshall University football coaches including recruiting coordinator Jajuan Seider are keeping busy in Florida this week, handing out new scholarship offers and evaluating prospects.

According to various Twitter reports the Thundering Herd offered Boca Raton quarterback Kevin Anderson and Sandalwood offensive lineman Donald Rocker yesterday. Anderson is a three star prospect according to Rivals.com and currently holds scholarship offers from FCS programs Illinois State and Jacksonville State. Rocker has already given a verbal commitment to incoming Conference USA member FIU but, that has not stopped other schools, including Iowa State and Pittsburgh from pursuing the talented lineman.

Marshall coaches were also in Tallahassee visiting two prospects from Florida State University School. One of the players, three star safety Austin Logan, holds eleven scholarship offers from around the country including Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Duke. The Herd also checked in on linebacker Tevin Floyd who recorded 96 tackles and three sacks during his junior season according to Scout.com.  

For the latest Marshall football recruiting news check back here often and follow us on Twitter, https://twitter.com/MarshallTBlog. 

Marshall set to name new swim & dive coach

According to Swimming World Magazine, Marshall will hire Bill Tramel as it’s new swimming & diving head coach. Tramel has been the University of Minnesota’s associate head coach of women’s swim and dive for the past two seasons. This past year was Tramel’s eight overall with the Golden Gophers.

Today’s Marshall University athletics news, 5/21/12

The Charleston Gazette

Hamilton, NBA playoffs, and wrapping up state track

The Herald Dispatch

Like Curry, Dobson first team

Let's talk money, Marshall University athletic budget

Andrew Rampsacher of the Herald Dispatch gives a detailed account of Marshall University's athletics budget in today's paper, when you get a chance give it a read.

C-USA news & notes

Two items:

1) Old Dominion University has scheduled at 2:30pm press conference announcing their move to Conference USA. You can watch the announcement live through this link.

2) Per Doug Smock and the Charleston Gazette, C-USA’s 2013 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will likely be held in Tulsa Oklahoma. Read about it here.

Chuck Landon: ODU to join C-USA

Per the Twitter account of Herald Dispatch columnist Chuck Landon, Old Dominion University will accept Conference USA’s invitation to join the league. It had been reported that ODU was working under a June 30^th deadline to reach a decision on C-USA’s offer.

When the announcement becomes official ODU will become the sixth university to join C-USA this spring. Five other school, Texas San Antonio, North Texas, Charlotte, Florida International, and Louisiana Tech will begin participating in C-USA athletics next year.

You can find Chuck Landon’s Twitter account here.

Marshall Basketball: Ryan Taylor commits to Herd

According to the Twitter account of RecruitScoop.com’s Alex Kline, Ryan Taylor has committed to Tom Herrion and Marshall’s basketball program. Taylor hails from Hargrave Military Academy where he averaged 22 points and 14 rebounds per game last season. Scout.com rates Taylor as the 27^th best small forward prospect in the class of 2012. As a high school senior the 6’6, 205 pound wing player committed to Louisville before taking the prep school route.

Taylor took an official visit to Marshall in April with fellow Thundering Herd commitment D.D Scaver. According to multiple sources Taylor chose Marshall over offers from Seaton Hall, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Boston College

It has been rumored that Taylor could have academic issues to overcome before gaining eligibility. Don’t be surprised if he takes a prop this upcoming season while getting his grades in order.

You can see a video of Taylor in action here.  

C-USA Basketball: UCF & Memphis in mix to host 2013 tournament

It looks like Conference USA's men's and women's basketball tournaments might be hosted by a departing member.
                                                                                                                               According to this Orlando Sentinel article, Memphis and UCF are still the only two schools that have submitted bids to host the leagues 2013 basketball tournaments. C-USA athletic directors are meeting in Destin Florida this week but, a final decision on next years venue will not be reached until June at the earliest.

Bogaczyk pens first entry on HerdZone.com

When you get a chance head over to HerdZone.com and give Jack Bogaczyk's first entry on the website a read. A few weeks ago Bogaczyk was announced as the new  Director of Publications for MU athletics.
   
The veteran journalist and former Charleston Daily Mail sports editor will be writing for HerdZone.com, GoHerd.com, the Herd Insider magazine.
                                                                                                     
The Marshall Thundering Blog would like to take this opportunity and welcome Bogaczky to the Thundering Herd family. Looking forward to all your incites on Thundering Herd athletics.

Vinny Curry contract details

Earlier this week former Marshall and current Philadelphia Eagle defensive end Vinny Curry signed his first NFL contract. Today, WSAZ sports anchor Keith Morehouse tweeted the details of Curry’s deal. According to Morehouse the New Jersey native will earn $3.23 million over four years. Curry also received a signing bonus of $810,000.

You can find Morehouse’s Twitter account here.    

Marshall to begin demolition of Field House this summer

Per an article in today's Herald Dispatch, Marshall University has taken possession of the Huntington Memorial Field House and will begin demolition this summer, making way for a new soccer complex.

In the story, which you can read here, athletic director Mike Hammrick confirmed that Marshall had been transferred ownership of the Field House last week. Hammrick also went on to say that the Thundering Herd's soccer programs are searching for a temporary home next season while their new facility is being built.

*UPDATE* Marshall Basketball: Coleman will never play for Herd again

Update:

You can now view the full article here with a direct quote from Marshall basketball coach Tom Herrion stating that Coleman will never play for the Thundering Herd again.

Original Post:

You can only see the preview but, in tomorrows Herald Dispatch columnist Chuck Landon writes that former Marshall basketball player Justin Coleman will never play for the Herd again. Since Coleman's dismissal in late January it has been rumored that the talent but wayward guard could re-join Tom Herrion's squad.

In 17 appearances last year including six starts, Coleman averaged 15.8 minutes and 5.5 points per game.

You can see a preview of Landon's Tuesday column here.

Marshall Football: Looking ahead to August

I should of posted this earlier but, if you have not already head over to the Herald Dispatch and give Andrew Ramspacher's wrap up of spring practice a read.

In the story Ramspacher breaks down the Thundering Herd football team position by position and looks ahead to preseason practice in August.

Marshall Football: Johnson signs contract with Redskins

Per the Washington Post football insider Twitter account, former Marshall defensive lineman Delvin Johnson has signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins. Johnson was on a tryout with Washington this weekend while the team conducted a three day rookie mini-camp.

During his senior season the 6'3, 312 pound defensive tackle registered 42 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Marshall Basketball: D.D. Scaver commits to Herd

According to multiple reports junior college basketball player D.D. Scaver has committed to Marshall University.
                                              
Scaver, a 6'4, 180 pound guard/forward from Trinity Valley Community College (Texas) averaged 24.1 points per game this season. A NJCAA All-American, Scaver had committed to Southern Miss but re-opened his recruitment once Larry Eustachy left for Colorado State. You can find a video of Scaver working out with former Marshall basketball player Justin Coleman here.                                                                                                            
Chuck McGill of the Charleston Daily Mail was the first to write a report on Scaver's commitment, you can see it here.

ODU has a deadline & MTSU waiting in the wings

Two items related to Conference USA expansion:

1. According to this Virginia Pilot article, Old Dominion University has a June 30th deadline to accept C-USA's invitation to join the league.

2. If ODU decides to pass on C-USA, Middle Tennessee State University is waiting in the wings per this BlueRaiders.com story.

C-USA expands, Charlotte football to league in 2015, & ODU still undecided

Per a official press release by Conference USA (see here) five schools, Texas San Antonio, North Texas, Charlotte, Florida International, and Louisiana Tech have accepted invitations to join the league.

Each new member will join for all sports next year, Charlotte will begin C-USA football in 2015.

Per the release, C-USA is still working with the Mountain West Conference on a “future affiliation”.

In related news Old Dominion University is undecided on joining C-USA. Earlier this week it was rumored that the Virginia school would be part of today’s new additions.

C-USA Growing - FIU, UTSA, N.Texas, La.Tech, ODU, and Charlotte set to join

According to Bret McMurphy of CBS Sports, Conference USA is set to announce six new members as early as Friday. McMurphy reports that the new additions are Florida International, Texas-San Antonio, Louisiana Tech, Old Dominion, Charlotte, and North Texas.

It is unclear how soon Colonial Athletic Association schools, Charlotte and ODU, will be ready to play C-USA football. The four other institutions will be full fledged members in 2013.

With the additions C-USA will expand to 14 teams. According to the article the league is expected to split into two divisions, east and west, along these lines; East - East Carolina, FIU, Marshall, Southern Miss, UAB, Charlotte and ODU; West - Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Rice, Texas San Antonio, Tulane, Tulsa and UTEP.

McMurphy also reports that C-USA and the Mountain West Conference are still working on a plan to share scheduling, T.V revenue, and marking resources while remaining separate entities.

Read the full report here.

Marshall Football: A look into 2012 & Bartrum enters coaching ranks

Two things……

1) Over at SB Nation, Bill Connelly takes a in-depth look at Marshall’s football prospects for 2012 using advanced statistics. When you get a chance give it a read, a different way to look at things and really well done.  

2) Citing a Pomeroy Daily Sentinel article, the Herald Dispatch is reporting that former Marshall tight end and NFL long snapper Mike Bartrum has been named head football coach at Meigs High School (OH). A Megis alumni, this will be Bartrum’s first foray into high school coaching.