Marshall University Athletics
Photo by: For Marshall Athletics
Quotes/Notes/Video from Doc Holliday's Nov. 11 Press Conference
11/12/2019 10:43:00 AM | Football
Kickoff is 7 p.m. Saturday
Opening statement:
Captains this week will be Brenden Knox and Levi Brown on offense. On defense, it will be Omari Cobb and Marquis Couch. Obviously this is the most important game that we play all year because this is the game where we honor those 75 who were killed in the crash. That has always been the case and that will never change. Our kids understand the importance of this game. I know that our fan base does. It's on Friday night and I'm sure it's going to be a great atmosphere. We just have to make sure that we're prepared to play an excellent football team in Louisiana Tech. They are a veteran team with 13 seniors that are starting for them. Offensively, they are led by quarterback J'Mar Smith, who has been a three-year starter for them. He can make all of the throws and beat you with his feet. (Louisiana Tech head coach) Skip (Holtz) has done a great job recruiting and has a lot of players close to that area (to choose from). They have talent at a lot of positions. It will be a great challenge for us and one that we're looking forward to.
                             Â
On handling the expectations to win the game that annually honors the 75:
Our kids understand that. That has never changed. They understand what this game means to the program and the preparation that it takes to go play this game. As coaches, we understand it. From the time these kids come in here as freshmen, the first thing that we do is educate them on what the history of this program is all about. Thank goodness nobody else has our story. It's unique. (WSAZ Sports Director) Keith (Morehouse) is the guy who starts it out with our guys. He's the first person that our guys hear when they come onto campus. They get the chance to hear what this program is all about. By the time these kids walk out of here, they all understand it and what it means to our program, the fan base, the school and the community. They understand the importance of the game. They embrace it. They enjoy it. They love to play in this game. It's the only time you put that black jersey on, the only time you put that '75' on your helmet. When you do that, you strap it up a little tighter, prepare a little harder and get ready to go play a great game. You feel the responsibility you have as a coach and a player to uphold the standard that is expected. in that game, and for this program. You don't want to leave any stone unturned. You want to do everything that you can as a coach to make sure that your kids are prepared to go play a great game against a great team.
Â
More on the significance of the game:
Marshall is a special place and we have a special story, but you have to educate the kids. The kids see the movie, but they don't fully understand what the importance of this football program is unless you educate them on what it's all about. I think it's important that anyone who plays here understands how important this football team is and what it means to the community, the fan base and the school. We try to do everything we can to make sure our kids know how important football is to this community and our fan base. (Offensive line coach) Greg (Adkins) started out the week by talking to our team yesterday. We also have (Assistant AD for Football Operations) Mark Gale here, who has been here forever and he understands the importance of it.
Â
On Louisiana Tech:
Skip (Holtz) does a great job. They're well-coached and extremely physical. They have good players, as we do. It's going to be a great game. With them, it starts with the quarterback but the running back is extremely physical. They're huge up front and have skilled guys at the wide receiver position. Defensively, they tackle well in space and have guys up front who can play. That's why they are who they are. They're first in the west and we're first in the east. It's going to be a heck of a game. It's going to be exciting and we're looking forward to it. Skip has done a great job wherever he's been. He'll have his team well-prepared and we have to make sure we do as well.
Â
On last week's bye:
I think it was great because we have a chance to get some guys back and healthy. We have guys who have played a lot of snaps who were able to take a couple of days and that will help them. We should have everyone at 100 percent and ready to roll here come Friday night.
Captains this week will be Brenden Knox and Levi Brown on offense. On defense, it will be Omari Cobb and Marquis Couch. Obviously this is the most important game that we play all year because this is the game where we honor those 75 who were killed in the crash. That has always been the case and that will never change. Our kids understand the importance of this game. I know that our fan base does. It's on Friday night and I'm sure it's going to be a great atmosphere. We just have to make sure that we're prepared to play an excellent football team in Louisiana Tech. They are a veteran team with 13 seniors that are starting for them. Offensively, they are led by quarterback J'Mar Smith, who has been a three-year starter for them. He can make all of the throws and beat you with his feet. (Louisiana Tech head coach) Skip (Holtz) has done a great job recruiting and has a lot of players close to that area (to choose from). They have talent at a lot of positions. It will be a great challenge for us and one that we're looking forward to.
                             Â
On handling the expectations to win the game that annually honors the 75:
Our kids understand that. That has never changed. They understand what this game means to the program and the preparation that it takes to go play this game. As coaches, we understand it. From the time these kids come in here as freshmen, the first thing that we do is educate them on what the history of this program is all about. Thank goodness nobody else has our story. It's unique. (WSAZ Sports Director) Keith (Morehouse) is the guy who starts it out with our guys. He's the first person that our guys hear when they come onto campus. They get the chance to hear what this program is all about. By the time these kids walk out of here, they all understand it and what it means to our program, the fan base, the school and the community. They understand the importance of the game. They embrace it. They enjoy it. They love to play in this game. It's the only time you put that black jersey on, the only time you put that '75' on your helmet. When you do that, you strap it up a little tighter, prepare a little harder and get ready to go play a great game. You feel the responsibility you have as a coach and a player to uphold the standard that is expected. in that game, and for this program. You don't want to leave any stone unturned. You want to do everything that you can as a coach to make sure that your kids are prepared to go play a great game against a great team.
Â
More on the significance of the game:
Marshall is a special place and we have a special story, but you have to educate the kids. The kids see the movie, but they don't fully understand what the importance of this football program is unless you educate them on what it's all about. I think it's important that anyone who plays here understands how important this football team is and what it means to the community, the fan base and the school. We try to do everything we can to make sure our kids know how important football is to this community and our fan base. (Offensive line coach) Greg (Adkins) started out the week by talking to our team yesterday. We also have (Assistant AD for Football Operations) Mark Gale here, who has been here forever and he understands the importance of it.
Â
On Louisiana Tech:
Skip (Holtz) does a great job. They're well-coached and extremely physical. They have good players, as we do. It's going to be a great game. With them, it starts with the quarterback but the running back is extremely physical. They're huge up front and have skilled guys at the wide receiver position. Defensively, they tackle well in space and have guys up front who can play. That's why they are who they are. They're first in the west and we're first in the east. It's going to be a heck of a game. It's going to be exciting and we're looking forward to it. Skip has done a great job wherever he's been. He'll have his team well-prepared and we have to make sure we do as well.
Â
On last week's bye:
I think it was great because we have a chance to get some guys back and healthy. We have guys who have played a lot of snaps who were able to take a couple of days and that will help them. We should have everyone at 100 percent and ready to roll here come Friday night.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ FootballMarshall Football: 2026 National Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, February 04
Marshall Football: 2026 National Signing Day Press Conference
Tuesday, February 03
Marshall Football: Tony Gibson Post-Game Presser with Player Interviews (Georgia Southern)
Sunday, November 30
Marshall Football Players Weekly Press Conference (Week 12 | Georgia Southern)
Tuesday, November 25