HUNTINGTON, W.V. — Marshall University has decided not to participate in the upcoming Independence Bowl following a significant coaching change and the resulting exodus of many players into the transfer portal. Initially scheduled to face Army on December 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Thundering Herd (10-3) will not compete, leading to Louisiana Tech being matched up against Army instead.
The university cited concerns about falling below a roster minimum deemed medically safe as the reason for their withdrawal. Just last weekend, the Herd celebrated a triumphant victory over Louisiana-Lafayette, securing the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the first time in their history and marking their first seven-game winning streak since 2020.
Keith Gill, the Sun Belt Commissioner, expressed regret in a statement over the unexpected nature of this announcement and its impact on bowl season preparations for all involved, particularly for Army and the Independence Bowl organizers.
The coaching landscape shifted dramatically when Coach Charles Huff left Marshall for Southern Mississippi. Shortly thereafter, North Carolina State’s defensive coordinator, Tony Gibson, was named as Huff’s successor. Unfortunately, Gibson arrived to find a team with at least 25 players entering the transfer portal just days after the coaching shake-up.
In response, Gibson quickly began reaching out to the team through meetings and communications to establish rapport. He acknowledged the emotional turbulence coaches’ departures can cause, particularly for young athletes navigating such transitions.
Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech, with a record of 5-7, is excited about the chance to compete in their first bowl game since 2020. The Bulldogs, who have gained momentum in recent games, are looking forward to representing their program against a respected opponent like Army in what promises to be an interesting matchup.
