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SPORTS
Herd to keep Snyder at the helm
Marshall football coach Mark Snyder.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON — Backing his confidence following Saturday night’s postgame press conference, Mark Snyder will remain Marshall University’s head football coach in 2009.
The fourth-year coach has worked through four straight losing seasons while restructuring the Thundering Herd program. Recruiting and other big-picture approaches have been sound, but fans are disappointed in the won-loss record.
Marshall capped the 2008 season Saturday with an entertaining, competitive 38-35 home loss to Tulsa, finishing at 4-8 overall and 3-5 within Conference USA.
“To avoid any speculation concerning our football program, Mark Snyder is and will remain our head football coach,” Marshall Athletic Director Bob Marcum said.
Despite the seventh setback in eight games to cap the season, Snyder remained upbeat Saturday night.
“I think we improved,” Snyder said. “Shoot, let’s be real. The two teams that are going to play in the (C-USA) championship, one beat us by three in overtime (at East Carolina, 19-16) and the other out here tonight by three (Tulsa) and (Houston) we beat (37-23).
“I don’t think there were any steps taken backwards. It’s just where we’re at right now. (Tulsa head coach) Todd (Graham) thought we were the dark horse coming in, flying under the radar a little bit.
“And he knows right now, we’re probably going to be the team to beat next year.”
