HUNTINGTON – Passion, experience and familiarity are among the traits new Marshall Football Coach Charles Huff is looking for as he sets out building a brand new coaching staff.
Huff confirmed Wednesday on Metronews Talkline, reports that surfaced on Tuesday that the majority of Marshall’s coaching staff was not being retained.
.@CoachHuff joins @HoppyKercheval to discuss becoming @HerdFB Head Football Coach and his past experiences he brings with him. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/dmfchsE0Tx
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) January 20, 2021
“There’s some really good coaches that were on this staff but you’ve got to have guys around you that you know. It’s not like working at Pepsi or any other major corporation where you hire based off resume,” Huff explained.
“We spend a lot of time together in this profession. You’ve got to know the guys you’re working with. You’ve got to know how they are when the heat’s on in the fire. You’ve got know how they are when they’re laid back,” said Huff.
One of the guys Huff happens to know is Marshall Offensive Coordinator Tim Cramsey, who will be the lone holdover from former coach Doc Holliday’s staff. Cramsey, who is coming off his third season as Marshall’s offensive coordinator, and Huff had a relationship prior to either of them coming to Marshall.
The two coaches crossed paths during Huff’s first ever job interview, which happened to be at the University of New Hampshire, where Cramsey was serving as the offensive coordinator. Huff, who did not know anyone on the UNH staff at the time, got the help from some friends to get the interview. Cramsey ended up conducting the job interview with Huff.
Ironically, Huff didn’t get the job back then, something he jokingly reminded Cramsey of.
Cramsey and Huff maintained their relationship after their initial meeting, which provided the familiarity that Huff emphasized is necessary for a cohesive coaching staff.
“Tim and I have had a relationship. When you build a staff you’ve got to blend it the right way,” explained Huff. Me having a relationship with Tim prior to here really helped.”
As for filling the current vacant positions on the coaching staff, Huff said he’s working through the potential candidates and indicated bringing some Marshall alumni back is being considered.
“I think it’s important to bring some guys back that have a passion for this place that I can’t imitate based on their past history here. It’s important to have some guys with some Marshall history.”
The first-time head coach also said he’s considering assistants who could bring valuable head coaching experience with them to the brand new staff.
“Building a staff is not necessarily picking who others would perceive would be the best guy or the hottest name, its picking the right pieces to the puzzle so the organization runs efficiently.”