Snyder's First Year at Marshall

[kinch]

I didn't follow Marshall much this year but I want to take a look at their season, in retrospect, and see how coach Snyder did.

CollegeFootballNews rated him #14 out of 23 first year coaches:

14. Mark Snyder, Marshall (4-7) – If anyone on this list deserves a pass, it’s Snyder, who didn’t get hired until mid-April and had to replace Bob Pruett, a legendary coach in these parts. Throw in Marshall’s least scary roster in more than a decade and a move to the tougher C-USA, and the results were pretty predictable. The Herd struggled in some close games and the kicking game, and after three years, still hasn’t found the next great quarterback to replace Byron Leftwich. The offense needs more threats in the passing, but expect the young Marshall team to begin turning the corner in 2006. If nothing else, it’s going to help immensely that Snyder will have a full year in the bank and an opportunity to recruit some of his own targets to Huntington.

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Columnists/RC/RankingFirstYearCoaches.htm

In the end, it may be that it is hard to say much after this season. I, for one, am willing to bet my chips on Snyder and his ability to make Marshall a powerful team. The fans probably have an unreasonable expectation of success due to Marshall's recent glory seasons, but I bet their hopes are well placed in Snyder's hands. . .

Did anyone keep up with Marshall enough to evaluate Snyder's first year?

 

[Bucklion]

It will be tougher in C-USA. There are some teams like So Miss that are tough to beat year in and year out, either at home or on the road. They'll compete eventually, but it will take a few years.

 

[Steve19]

Can't really evaluate him. I watched a couple of their games. They were WAY short on talent, which I think may have been a bit of a shock for him after Ohio State. I also think he will start turning the corner this year and that he will be there a long time, running a respectable program.