This thought struck me last night at the annual Marshall-WVU men’s basketball game. Fans of WVU and Marshall seem to really love 4-H right now. I am not talking about the youth agricultural organization that is featured every year at the state fair. I am talking about the 4-H’s of coaching in the mountain state.
Here’s why.
TOM HERRION—Marshall fans have great confidence in second year head coach Tom Herrion. Herrion reminds many older fans of the late Stu Aberdeen who brought incredible enthusiasm to the Herd program in the late 1970’s. At Marshall’s last home game against UCF, it was standing room only in every nook, cranny and corner of the building. Herrion has recruited well and brought mental toughness to the Marshall program.
DANA HOLGORSEN—There were issues in the off-season and a couple of speed bumps during the season. But, after the record setting, historic, 70-points against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, Holgorsen can do no wrong. Mountaineer fans are ready to buy in to the offensive reputation of the team’s young head coach. With most of the offensive firepower returning in the future, Holgorsen has fans excited as the Mountaineer teams plan to move into the Big 12.
DOC HOLLIDAY—Marshall fans have seen the Herd’s head football coach infuse the program with an influx of new young talent. Holliday’s 2011 team should have won three or four games. Instead they won 7 against an incredibly challenging schedule. Marshall went into 10 of 13 games as an underdog. The season ended with a satisfying bowl win in Florida. With 62 of his team’s 75 scholarship players freshmen and sophomores, exciting times seem to be ahead for Marshall football fans.
BOB HUGGINS—-WVU fans love Huggins. And why not? He is a Hall of Fame coach with over 700 wins. He has taken the Mountaineers to the NCAA Tournament every year he has been in Morgantown. With two big time transfers sitting out, plus some tremendous young talent, Huggin’s teams could be in contention for another Final Four berth in the near future. More importantly, Huggins loves the state of West Virginia. He loves being the Mountaineers head coach. When it is all said and done, Huggins will probably be the most beloved coach in WVU history, IN ANY SPORT.