HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Doc Holliday was pleased with what he saw from the defending Conference USA champs on the first day of preseason camp. Now, Doc will be the first to remind you that everybody looks good in shorts and helmets but he was especially happy with the condition his players are in coming into the new season.
“I thought Scott Sinclair and the strength staff did a great job,” said Holliday. “I thought they ran around well and they just picked up where they left off in the spring.”
As Holliday has done since he arrived at Marshall, the Herd started preseason camp with split-squad practices with most of the veterans practicing in the morning session and newcomers getting reps in the afternoon.
“It’s great to split these practices like we do because these guys got the same work the older guys got,” explained Holliday. “It gives them an opportunity to go back and watch the tape, come back and execute it in the afternoon. It gives these guys an opportunity to get better and see what they can do.”
With the team split up, Holliday and his staff have a chance to begin fine-tuning the offensive and defensive schemes with the returning players and can evaluate players arriving on campus for the first time. Holliday has never been hesitant to insert a freshman into the lineup during season. Practices over the next few days give him an idea of the talent and ability the younger guys bring to the field.
“When you come out in the afternoon with these young guys, you just want to see what kind of athletes you have running around out here and I’m pleased. I wouldn’t trade any of them.”
The Herd will continue with the split-squad practices through Monday before coming together as a full team for a single practice on Tuesday.