Thundering Herd

NCAAF Marshall Thundering Herd

NCAA Division: Division I
Conference: Sun Belt
Past Conferences: WVIAC (1925–1932). Buckeye (1933–1938). OVC (1948–1951). MAC (1954–1968, 1997–2004). SoCon (1977–1996). C-USA (2005–2021)

City: Huntington, West Virginia

Stadium: Joan C. Edwards Stadium

National Championships: 2

Conference Titles: 13

Divisional Championships: 9

Team History

The Thundering Herd began playing football in 1895 under coach Boyd Chambers.

Much of Marshall’s history consisted of average to losing seasons. In 1990, the Thundering Herd hired Jim Donnan as their head coach. Donnan almost immediately led the Thundering Herd to prominence. In his first season, they finished 6-5 overall and with a 4-3 record in the Southern Conference. His next five seasons would be memorable. The Thundering Herd would make the FCS Championship four out of the next five seasons.

In 1991, the Thundering Herd finished with an 11-4 record. It was their best season. Unfortunately, they fell in the National Championship. In 1992, they finished with a 12-3 record and they won the SoCon. Additionally, they went on to win the National Championship. It was their first time in history. In 1993, they finished 11-4 but fell in the National Championship once again. In 1994, the Thundering Herd finished 7-1 in conference play and won the SoCon once again. In 1995, the Thundering Herd finished 12-3 but fell in the National Championship again. The 1990-1995 run was the best in Marshall football history. Donnan finished his career with a 64-21 record, a National Championship and two SoCon championships. He left Marshall to become the head coach at the University of Georgia.

A Match Made in Heaven

Marshall went on to hire Bob Pruett in 1996. Additionally, wide receiver Randy Moss was active and ready to play after redshirting his freshman year. Moss and Pruett were a match made in heaven. They led the Herd to a 15-0 record where they won the SoCon and the National Championship yet again. Moss finished with 78 catches over 1,700 yards and 28 touchdowns.

In 1997, Marshall moved to the Mid-American Conference. They went on to win the Mac each year from 1997-2000 with a combined 35-5 conference record. In 1997, they clinched their first-ever bowl game. They lost a close game to Ole Miss in the Liberty bowl. Moss followed up his 1996 campaign with an even better 1997. He went on to the NFL Draft and was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings.

In 2001 and 2002 the Thundering Herd finished with identical 11-2 records. In 2002, they went on to win the Mac again. During Pruett’s tenure, the Herd had a 94-23 overall record and a dominant 62-10 conference record. Additionally, they won five SoCon Championships and a 5-2 bowl record.

In 2005, the Herd joined Conference USA. Mark Snyder became head coach in 2005. The Herd had a losing record in each of his first four seasons. However, in his last season, they went 6-6 and clinched a berth in the Little Caesar’s bowl game.

The Herd hired Doc Holliday in 2010 and led them to a 17-20 combined record through his first three years. In 2011, they finished with a winning record and won the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl against Florida International University. From 2013-2020 the Herd only finished with a losing record once. In 2014, they finished with a 13-1 record and won the SoCon. Holliday finished his career at Marshall with an 85-54 overall record and a 55-30 conference record. Additionally, they finished with a 6-2 bowl record.

Charles Huff is the current coach at Marshall.