Marshall head coach Doc Holliday speaks with an offical as the Herd takes on UAB in a C-USA football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington W.Va.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Is Marshall University Doc Holliday’s last head football coaching job?
Could be.
Marshall certainly took a step in that direction Monday afternoon by giving Holliday a two-year contract extension. That means the Hurricane, W.Va., native has four years remaining on his contract since the extension takes him through June of 2018. It also takes the 57-year-old through his 61st birthday.
All that points to the distinct possibility of Holliday staying at Marshall until he decides to retire.
“Coach Holliday has made Marshall football relevant again,” said Marshall athletic director Mike Hamrick. “With his leadership, the Thundering Herd is on its way to competing for championships on a regular basis.”
Holliday, who has a 27-24 record at Marshall, is heading into his fifth year at the Herd’s helm. He’s coming off his most successful season at MU, finishing the 2013 season with a 10-4 record after defeating Maryland, 31-20, in the 2013 Military Bowl.
That’s grounds for an extension.
Not to mention, an upgrade in several incentive clauses in Holliday’s contract. For example, a Conference USA championship will be worth a $30,000 bonus now — an increase of $10,000. He also will receive a $30,000 bonus for each Marshall bowl appearance. That, too, is a $10,000 increase. If Holliday were to reach all the incentive clauses in his new contract, it would result in an additional $145,000…
