— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — For the past several years, Marshall’s success has often been predicated on strong defensive play under former coordinators Brad Lambert and more recently, Lance Guidry.
Under the guidance of both, the Thundering Herd defensive groups have had several strong national rankings in total defense and the units were especially stingy against the run.
When Guidry decided to leave Marshall at the end of the 2022 season for what was first thought to be the defensive coordinator at Tulane but ultimately became that same title at Miami, Herd head coach Charles Huff didn’t much waste time in finding a replacement by naming Jason Semore to the job.
Semore came to Huntington from Georgia Tech, where he worked as linebackers coach last fall. Previously, he was part of a Valdosta State coaching staff that helped lead the Blazers to the 2021 NCAA Division II title game. Semore was also previously part of the coaching staff at traditional FCS power Montana.
Semore will maintain the 4-2-5 defensive scheme utilized by the Herd the last two seasons, and he says the mix of veterans and talented youngsters should help to maintain Marshall’s high defensive standard.
“We have a group of guys who know how to play really good football and there is an excellent culture on this football team,” Semore said. “My job is to not screw it up.”
Statistically, Marshall’s 2022 defense was one of the best in school history. It ranked in the Top 25 in 15 national statistical categories, including No. 8 nationally in total defense, No. 6 in scoring defense and No. 5 in rush defense.
Semore and his defensive staff will benefit this year from decisions of three MU veterans to return for a final season — defensive end Owen Porter, linebacker Eli Neal and cornerback Micah Abraham. Other veterans looking to make an impact this year include defensive linemen Sam Burton, Isaiah Gibson, Tyqaze Leggs and Elijah Alston, safety Kerion Martin of Capital High School and defensive back J.J. Roberts, a former Cabell Midland High School standout who transferred from Wake Forest.
“We have good leadership at all levels of the defense,” S’more said. “The guys we have already play at an elite level and know what they’re doing. Our biggest job this spring is to find some consistency from the guys who we’ll be plugging in to play football at a high level like we did last season.”
Semore says that he and his family have already settled in at Marshall and coaching for the Thundering Herd is special to him because of the program’s past accomplishments.
“This place reminds me a lot of Montana because of the importance of football here and the community that is behind it,” Semore said. “The kids have a blue-collar mentality and there is a high expectation to win here. I really enjoy being in those environments. The community identifies itself through the football team.”
Semore’s 2022 Yellow Jackets featured a pair of All-Atlantic Coast Conference second team picks in linebackers Charlie Thomas and Ace Eley. Thomas and Eley combined for 230 tackles and six forced fumbles. For his work, Semore was nominated for FootballScoop’s Linebackers Coach of the Year award.
Marshall will hold its third spring practice session on Saturday afternoon.