HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Marshall Coach Doc Holliday has dismissed running back Kevin Grooms from the football team for a violation of team rules, according to a press release from the athletic department Saturday morning.
Holliday took swift action against Grooms who was arrested Saturday by Huntington Police on a felony charge of burglary as well as domestic assault, petit larceny and fleeing on foot. This is not the first time Grooms has had a run-in with law enforcement. It was Grooms’ third arrest in the last year and a half.
Grooms found himself in Doc Holliday’s doghouse after he was arrested in April 2013 for underage consumption and obstructing after he gave police a fake name while being questioned. Last November, Grooms was booked on domestic battery and obstructing an officer charges after Marshall defeated East Carolina 59-28 to capture the East Division tile.
Grooms’ dismissal ends what was a very promising career. Grooms led The Herd with 737 yards rushing his freshman season and was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year. That would turn out to be the pinnacle of his time at Marshall.
Last season Grooms battled several injuries and failed to match his freshman totals. He rushed for 503 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games.
It looked as though Grooms was ready to return to his freshman form after establishing himself as the projected starting tailback during spring practice.
With Grooms gone, Marshall’s top three running backs heading into fall are Steward Butler, Remi Watson and Kevin Rodriguez.