Losing suddenly has become acceptable.

Marshall is running the risk of endorsing that concept.

I never thought I would see that happen.

But it did Sunday.

That is precisely what happened when Marshall issued a statement from athletic director Bob "Kayo" Marcum.

"To avoid any speculation concerning our football program," the statement read, "Mark Snyder is and will remain our head football coach."

But why did this endorsement come from Marcum when it should have been delivered by Marshall President Steve Kopp?

Marcum isn't Marshall's CEO. That is Kopp.

Marcum didn't hire Snyder. That was done by then-interim president Mike Farrell.

Marcum also didn't give Snyder a six-year contract extension after a 4-7 record in 2005. That was done by Kopp.

That's why disgruntled Marshall fans shouldn't be misled by this smoke screen of a statement.

If Herd fans want to blame someone in Marshall's administration for this endorsement of losing, they at least need to know the right person to point an accusatory finger at.

It's not Marcum.

It is Kopp.

He's the one who called this shot.

So, give Kopp the credit or blame, depending which side of this controversial issue you support.

If Snyder coaches the Herd to nine wins and a bowl game next season, give Kopp credit for standing behind his coach.

But if Marshall wins seven games or less, heap the blame on Kopp for thinking four consecutive losing seasons and a 4-8 record in '08 were signs of improvement.

They weren't.

How can finishing last in Conference USA's East Division be construed as improvement by any stretch of spin doctoring? That is an embarrassment, not an improvement.

Dead-last. The cellar. The out-house.

That is where Marshall ended up after a 3-1 start.

And that's progress? If so, I'd hate to see what a bad season looks like.

Marshall finished below UAB in the standings. And, yes, it was those same Blazers that stunningly defeated Marshall, 23-21, this season after finishing 2-10 in 2007.

That's improvement?

Marshall also finished below UCF, which was shutout at home, 15-0, by UAB Saturday. Those same Golden Knights posted their most impressive performance of the season at Marshall's expense, drubbing the Herd, 30-14, at MU's Homecoming game in Edwards Stadium.

That's progress?

Then, there are Memphis and Southern Miss.

Marshall trails both of them in the C-USA East Division standings, as well.

That fact provides a very compelling commentary considering Marshall defeated Memphis, 17-16, and, then, handily beat Southern Miss, 34-27.

Yet, those two programs both reached bowl eligibility Saturday with their sixth victories of the season. Meanwhile, Marshall was being defeated by Tulsa, 38-35, to finish the year with seven losses in its final eight games.

That's improvement?

Maybe in Kopp's estimation, but not in my mind.

And, more important, not in the minds of many fed-up Marshall fans who just might make their feelings known at the Edwards Stadium turnstiles next season.

They may refuse to buy tickets much like they refuse to buy this ridiculous pretense of improvement.

Four consecutive losing seasons, a four-year record of 16-31, a 4-8 mark in '08, a finish of seven losses in the last eight games and the complete disappearance of Marshall style football does not constitute progress.

Not now. Not ever.

That is losing the likes of which Marshall fans haven't experienced since the early 1980s.

Until it was endorsed again Sunday.

How risky.

Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.

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