Tony Gibson quickly dived into the recruiting process at Marshall after being appointed as the college’s new head coach, marking his first role in charge following a lengthy career as an assistant coach spanning nearly thirty years.
This transition did not come without challenges; the team faced significant departures when Charles Huff accepted the head coaching position at Southern Miss. Shortly after, it was reported that Gibson, who had been serving as the defensive coordinator at N.C. State, would take over as head coach at Marshall, all within the same day. The opening of the transfer portal the very next day added to the urgency of the situation, prompting at least 25 players from Marshall to enter it by Thursday.
Upon his arrival in Huntington, Gibson convened a meeting to introduce himself to the team and has been actively reaching out to players through phone calls, text messages, and additional meetings throughout Friday and Saturday. During a press conference on Thursday, Gibson acknowledged the emotional turmoil associated with coaching changes and the tendency of young athletes, aged 18 to 22, to make impulsive decisions instead of taking time to think things through.
The majority of players who have entered the portal so far are experienced, including all three quarterbacks—Braylon Braxton, Stone Earle, and Cole Pennington—who played during the season. Leading rusher A.J. Turner and three of the top seven wide receivers have also decided to explore their options. Furthermore, defensively, four of the team’s seven leading tacklers have joined them, most notably Jaden Yates, the top linebacker.
Gibson committed to Marshall on December 3 through a memorandum of understanding. Huff’s departure came the day after the team clinched the Sun Belt championship against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Herd, finishing the season with a 10-3 record, is set for a matchup with No. 19 Army in the Independence Bowl on December 28.
Under the terms of his five-year contract, Gibson will earn an annual salary of $1 million, significantly higher than Huff’s $750,000. If Gibson were to accept another job at a Division I institution or professional league before February 2026, he would face a hefty buyout of $4 million, which will decrease by $1 million in subsequent years.
At 52 years old, Gibson expressed confidence that he wouldn’t need to worry about the buyout clause. With roots in the small coal mining town of Van, West Virginia, he has always envisioned a return to his home state. His extensive experience includes serving as an assistant coach at various Power 5 schools, and he noted he has relocated his family 15 times throughout his career.
“Believe me when I say, I am home. And I am not going anywhere,” Gibson declared, promising that this would be their final house move. During his earlier tenures at West Virginia, Gibson participated in matchups against Marshall in the Friends of Coal Bowl, and despite Marshall’s struggles in that series from 2006 to 2012, he hopes to see the rivalry resurrected.
As the new head coach prepares for upcoming games, he faces immediate challenges ahead, and he humorously addressed athletic director Christian Spears for scheduling a tough opponent. “Thank you for scheduling Georgia as my first game as a football coach,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience.
