HUNTINGTON, W.V. — Marshall University has decided to withdraw from the Independence Bowl due to a recent coaching change that has led many players to enter the transfer portal. The Thundering Herd were expected to face Army on December 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Following Marshall’s announcement, the Independence Bowl and Louisiana Tech revealed that the Bulldogs would now compete against the 19th-ranked Black Knights instead.
Marshall cited a drop in their roster numbers below a level deemed medically safe as the reason for their departure from the bowl game. The Herd concluded their season with a record of 10-3, having recently achieved their first Sun Belt Conference Championship by defeating Louisiana-Lafayette 31-3. This also marked the first time since 2020 that they secured seven consecutive victories within the same season.
In a statement, Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill expressed regret over the timing and nature of the announcement, acknowledging the disruptions it caused to the bowl preparations involving Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference, and ESPN.
The changes in coaching staff played a significant role in this situation. Head Coach Charles Huff left Marshall to take a position at Southern Miss last Sunday, with Tony Gibson, the defensive coordinator from North Carolina State, named as his successor shortly thereafter. By Thursday, over 25 players from Marshall had opted to enter the transfer portal following these developments.
Gibson addressed the team in a meeting shortly after arriving in Huntington, followed by additional phone calls and messages throughout the following days to connect with the players. He noted the emotional nature of such transitions, particularly for young adults aged 18 to 22, who might make hasty decisions during this tumultuous period.
For Louisiana Tech, who ended the season with a record of 5-7, this will be their first bowl game appearance since 2020. The Bulldogs have managed to win two of their last three games but have not been in action since a commanding 33-0 victory against Kennesaw State on November 30.
Louisiana Tech’s athletic director, Ryan Ivey, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to compete against a historical program like Army, emphasizing that participation in this bowl game reflects the positive direction of their football program. Ivey stated that the match will contribute to the momentum they are building as they prepare to head to Shreveport.
