Huntington, WV. usually has little to celebrate. We’ve seemingly gone years without any standout achievement on which we can hang our hats with pride. With most of our manufacturing industry gone, Marshall University has been a shining light on a hill for a town, once known as “The Jewel City.
Known for winning more football games than any other Division I-A or I-AA team in the 1990’s, Herd football had endured a decade drought of championships.
But that all changed on Saturday, December 7th, when our Thundering Herd, with Coach Charles Huff at the helm, defeated the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Herd was dominating in every facet of the game, winning 31-3, bringing the first-ever SBC Championship trophy back to the Huntington!
It was an emotional high for Herd fans. Many of us had watched throughout the year as the team grew on both sides of the ball, re-inspiring the “We play for championships” mentality we hold so near and dear to our hearts.
It felt good – really good. Sadly, that exuberant feeling was short-lived.
Rumors surrounding Coach Huff’s contract not being renewed came to life the following day as news of his departure was shared. After four years as Marshall head football coach, he would move on to other challenges and away from Huntington.
Shortly after that, a myriad of players began announcing their intention to enter the NCAA college football transfer portal. Not just a couple of players, mind you, but several players, including many starters and the top three quarterbacks announced entering the portal.
Ironically, around the same time, Herd fans learned Marshall would face the nationally ranked Army in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on December 28 in Shreveport, LA.
Now, Herd fans are passionate fans. No one ever said we would win any awards for diplomacy. I’m often dismayed as to how some make personal attacks. We should be very careful in avoiding negative statements about any coach or player on a personal level. Fans certainly have the right to complain, don’t get me wrong. But never make it personal.
We should revere these young men who have sacrificed daily to achieve their goals and begin building foundations for the rest of their lives. During a recent interview, Coach Huff compared football to life. In his statements, he was clear this wasn’t just about winning a football game but winning in life. Good words, which should be honored.
The transfer portal officially opened on Monday, December 9th and officially closes on December 28th. Per a recent USA Today column by Chandler Vessels, although the deadline is the 28th, “teams who are still competing in the postseason will get an additional five days after the seasons end” to enter the portal.
“When a player decides to enter the transfer portal and notifies their university, the university has 48 hours to report this information to an online database that lists athletes seeking to continue their careers at other institutions. Coaches from different programs can access this database in real-time, as it is continuously updated with new information. This allows them to begin recruiting these players immediately.”
Here’s the fly in the buttermilk.
Per 247 Sports and College Networth.com; “Players who enter the transfer portal can still participate in bowl games if they choose to do so. This allows athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills one last time with their current team before transitioning to a new program.”
Will Herd players decide to play in a game for which they’ve worked so hard to earn?
I certainly understand the pros and cons for the player and the university of the transfer portal. Marshall obviously benefitted from the portal this year.
The question is, will the very same portal that helped the team during the 2024 season, adversely impact a finality of the year for which Herd fans embrace so dearly?
Now, I write opinion, so this is my op-ed snippet only and it’s based on the facts as I understand them to be correct. But I would love to see these wonderful student athletes, who have given so much of themselves to Huntington and to each other, finish the season outright. I would like to see them play, if only for their fellow teammates who may have to endure a devastating bowl game outcome void their presence.
Marshall University is a special institution, with unique passions and memories of the past. I can think of no better way to honor those memories than by competing to the best of our ability – to the end.
Just like we should do in life.
Blessings!
Free State Patriot 