Marshall University Athletics
Staff Directory
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- Defensive Line
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Ralph Street is in his fifth season as the defensive line coach for Marshall, a place where he led the Thundering Herd to three MAC Championships with an overall record of 44-8 during his career (1998-2001). He graduated in 2001 as a four-year letterman, team captain and was voted first team All-MAC and the league’s best defensive lineman.
Success as a coach has been just as prominent as success in Street’s playing days as he’s overseen a defensive line that has been a major catalyst in Marshall’s recent defensive success.
Over the last two seasons, Street has mentored Mike Green, the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year who led FBS in sacks (17.0), tackles for loss (22.5), sack yardage (144) and tackles for loss yardage (155).
Green’s 17 sacks also set a Sun Belt Conference record and tied a Marshall record.
As a team in 2024, Marshall produced 36 sacks – a figure that was top-20 in FBS - and 88 tackles for loss, which helped lead the Herd to the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Championship.
During the 2023 season, Marshall finished in the top-25 nationally in Team Sacks and Tackles For Loss behind a strong defensive front that put an emphasis on wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield.
Street coached defensive ends Owen Porter, Elijah Alston and Sam Burton – all of whom finished in the top-20 in the Sun Belt Conference in sacks while also being key contributors in the Herd’s run defense as well.
Marshall ranked No. 9 in red zone defense nationally and No. 19 in third-down defense – another defensive trait largely contingent on the strength of the defensive line.
In 2022, Marshall’s pressure along the defensive front was a major reason that the team ranked No. 1 in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert on just 23.5 percent of opportunities.
Thanks in part to a strong defensive front, the Thundering Herd also ranked No. 4 in FBS in rushing defense, allowing 93.0 yards per game. Marshall’s defensive line helped produce a unit that was No. 6 in scoring defense and No. 7 in total defense.
The Thundering Herd defensive front was led by defensive end Owen Porter, who finished in the top-25 nationally in sacks with 9.5. Porter returns to the mix for the 2023 season to again lead the Marshall defensive front.
Street returned to Huntington after serving as Florida A&M’s defensive coordinator from 2018-2020. After a 5-5 campaign his first season, the Rattlers went 9-2 during the 2019 season when Street’s unit led the MEAC in interceptions (15), was second in pass efficiency defense (118.7) and third against the rush (129.4).
Prior to FAMU, Street spent three seasons at Prairie View A&M’s as its defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach.
In 2016, the Panthers ranked eighth in the FCS with 36 sacks and recorded combined sacks dating back to the start of the 2015 season. PVAMU made at least one sack in 17 consecutive games and 19 of 21 games under Street.
In 2015, Prairie View A&M led the SWAC in fewest first downs allowed per game (19.0), and were third in both scoring defense (33.1 ppg) and rushing defense (157.9 ypg). The defense forced at least one turnover in every game.
Prior to Prairie View A&M, Street spent three seasons at Alcorn State as the team’s defensive line coach and played a key role in helping the Braves finish the 2014 season with the SWAC’s top defensive unit. Under Street, the Braves’ defensive line ranked as the SWAC’s best as they held teams to a league low 108.7 rushing yards per game while also helping the team finish second in the conference with 40 sacks. As a result of the team’s accomplishments, two of Street’s defensive linemen in Deion Roberson and Darien Moody earned All-SWAC First Team honors. Roberson ranked fourth in the SWAC with eight sacks followed by Moody’s 7.5 sacks. Roberson also tallied 21 tackles for loss as he ranked third in the SWAC en route to earning 2014 BOXTOROW All-America Team honors.
In 2013, Street helped Alcorn State complete a major turnaround as the Braves finished the season 9-3 and second in the SWAC East after a 4-7 finish in 2012. Led by Roberson, who earned All-SWAC honors, the Braves finished second in total defense and fifth in rush defense.
Before moving to Alcorn State, Street spent seven years at the United States Air Force Preparatory School. While at USAFA, he served as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator and Vehicle Control Officer. Street worked closely with USAFA Hall of Fame head football coach Fisher DeBerry and head coach Troy Calhoun to uphold the USAFA prep football program and to shape the development of students and players for their transition to the Academy. During his tenure, Street was instrumental in ensuring the successful transition of more than 80 percent of the prep school students to the Academy.
A standout defensive player and coach, Street began his coaching career as the linebacker and defensive line coach of his alma mater, Astronaut High School in Titusville, Florida (2002-2005).
Street and his wife Madolyn, a graduate of USC, are the parents of a daughter, Olivia, and a son, Ranford.
