The Sun Belt fined the Marshall Thundering Herd $100,000 for withdrawing from the Independence Bowl in December.
Louisiana Tech replaced Marshall in their game against Army, and they lost 27-6 to Army.
“While the conference recognizes the medical model and best practices followed by Marshall, as well as their fundamental concern for the health and safety of the remaining eligible student-athletes to compete in a safe and viable manner, the nature and timing of this” This decision was detrimental to the Sun Belt Conference and its members, the Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN,” the Sun Belt said in a statement.
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General view of a Marshall Thundering Herd helmet in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies in the Myrtle Beach Bowl at Brooks Stadium. (David Yeazell-USA Today Sports)
Despite the fine, Marshall athletic director Christian Spears said he stands by his decision to retire from the game.
“We could not in good conscience send 41 student-athletes onto that field. And again, we will always put the health and safety of our student-athletes first,” Spears said. “But that does not take away from the fact that a sincere and formal apology is due.”
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Marshall Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff looks on during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. (Rob Kinnan-USA Today Sports)
Marshall went 10-3 in the regular season, including winning its final seven games to capture the Sun Belt championship.
Instead of playing Army in the bowl game, head coach Charles Huff left Marshall because he was far away on a contract extension with the school.
Marshall Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. (Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images)
Huff then left Marshall to take the head coaching position at Southern Miss. More than 25 players jumped into the transfer portal following his departure, leading Marshall to retire from the game.
Marshall hired NC State offensive coordinator Tony Gibson as his new head coach.
