After eight seasons on Doc Holliday's staff, Bill Legg resigned his position as offensive coordinator/tight ends coach with Marshall University earlier this week. We won't delve into Legg's "resignation" here, but we will explore his potential replacements.
How about that for our first blog post in over three years...
Internal Candidates
Todd Gobbel, Marshall University,Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Gobbel orchestrated a high octane offense as Ohio Dominican University's (Division II) assistant head coach/offensive coordinator from 2011-2014. During his time with the Panthers, Ohio Dominican averaged no less than 31 points per game.
If Holliday wants to promote from within, Gobbel seems like the obvious answer, especially after coaching the Herd's quarterbacks during the recently completed season. That being said, Gobbel's play calling experience ends at the Division II level. Is that the type of pedigree Holliday is looking for?
Former Assistants Under Holliday
Thomas Brown, University of Miami, Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach
Don't let the title fool you, although Brown is listed as the Hurricanes offensive coordinator, head coach Mark Ritch calls plays. That being said, Brown has an impressive resume. Since leaving Marshall in 2013, the former Thundering Herd running backs coach has worked at Wisconsin and Georgia in addition to Miami.
If Holliday isn't looking for someone with previous play calling experience, Brown could be the choice, although he might have to take a slight pay cut. A private institution, Miami isn't required to report salaries of it's football staff, but Brown made $275,000 as Georgia's running backs coach in 2015. Assuming he earns more now, Brown's current salary probably eclipses the $232,000 Marshall paid Legg this year.
Tony Petersen, East Carolina University, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
The former Marshall quarterback has directed ECU's offense since 2015 to solid, yet unspectacular results. Under Petersen's direction, the Pirates have finished 43rd, 23rd and 55th in total offense.
Even if Holliday wants to bring Petersen back to Huntington, would the former Marshall assistant leave ECU? Although the Pirates finished with a 3-9 record and have only recorded six victories in two seasons under head coach Scottie Montgomery, Petersen's $300,000 salary probably outstrips what the Herd can offer. You could argue taking a pay-cut to serve the same role at another "group of five" school doesn't make sense.
Outside Candidates
Marcus Satterfield, Unemployed, Former Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator
After a two year stint at Tennessee Tech, Satterfield was fired as the Golden Eagles head coach in November. Prior to his time as a head coach, he was offensive coordinator at Temple, helping the Owls grow from a two win team in 2013 to a 10-4 record in 2015. Satterfield's offenses weren't prolific at Temple, never averaging over 400 yards per game, but as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's offensive coordinator in 2010, the Mocs' finish eight nationally in total offense (FCS).
In terms of Marshall connections, Satterfield worked with current Herd assistant Adam Fuller at Chattanooga for three seasons. Satterfield checks the experience box, but he has never coached with Holliday and his offenses at Temple didn't light the world on fire.
Chris Beatty, University of Maryland, Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach
Beatty and Holliday were on Bill Stewart's West Virginia University staff from 2008 to 2009. The current Maryland assistant has made a number of stops since then, working at Vanderbilt, Illinois, Wisconsin and Virginia.
Beatty is known as an ace recruiter. He recently brought the number one prospect in the 2015 recruiting class, Auburn transfer Byron Cowart, to the Terps. Beatty also has offensive coordinator experience, serving that role with Hampton University in 2006, leading the Pirates to average 34.17 points per game, good for seventh nationally (FCS). That being said, he had a disastrously short tenure as Illinois' co-offensive coordinator in 2012, the Illini finished 119th in total offense.
Gregg Brandon, Colorado School of Mines, Head Coach
Like Holliday, Brandon is part of the Urban Meyer coaching tree. Brandon was Meyer's offensive coordinator at Bowling Green for two seasons before succeeding him as head coach from 2003-2008. Since that time, the 49 year coaching veteran has held the offensive coordinator title at Virginia, Wyoming and New Mexico State.
Brandon has been successful in Colorado, leading the Division II Orediggers to a 25-10 record over three years. Would he be willing to leave that environment and return to major college football?
Gunter Brewer, University of North Carolina, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach
An assistant at Marshall during two undefeated Thundering Herd seasons (1996 & 1999), Brewer is a well traveled assistant coach with many impressive programs on his resume. He has held the offensive coordinator title at Marshall, Oklahoma State and now North Carolina, but its been awhile since Brewer called plays. Mike Gundy handled those duties with the Cowboys during Brewers tenure there and he is now part of a play calling committee at UNC.
Like a few other coaches on this list, Brewer would probably be taking a pay-cut to join the Herd. He earned $345,000 with the Tar Heels this year.
Keep in mind I have no insider knowledge. This is one persons guess over 400 miles away from Huntington, WV.
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