I have witnessed Marshall football HC's for the last 50 years. But I probably didn't see/hear any of their weekly press conferences until Sonny. He was so folksy, I don't remember him spouting any football "inside lingo" in public. Stan Parrish didn't stay around long enough to make an impression one way or the other. George Chaump was a solid, old school coach who was more comfortable on the sideline than in front of the microphone.
Jim Donnan was too serious and couldn't take a joke. Bobby Pruett was a lot like Sonny, but he won a ton & backed up what he said. Still, no HC I've mentioned gave us the coaching lingo I'm talking about. Mark Snyder was a Son of Marshall. And now Doc. I swear, he talks about players that have "it". IMO, Holliday has the best combination of straight forward, honest evaluations, sense of humor & folksy demeanor we have had @ MU in my lifetime.
He will NOT speak poorly of the opposition, it's just not in his nature to do so. He praises individual players for the next foe on the schedule. He always shows respect for the other HC, and more often than not has a connection with them from earlier in his career. But he saves his highest praise for his guys: coaches, players & support staff/medical team. He gives us a little of that lingo: Lineman get highlighted for production points; He talks up the young guys and lets us in on their individual progress. He has an easy flow in his answers & analysis for the upcoming game. His emotion for his players is always just under the surface. It has to be infectious for Herd football. We have ourselves a ball coach, and I for one am so glad he's here.
(No one paid for this Doc Holliday appreciation statement. I have just been thinking this for a while and wanted to get it out there.....)
Go HERD !!!
WS
p.s. I can't believe he is only 2 years older than me. I guess I am gaining on them ;D)
Jim Donnan was too serious and couldn't take a joke. Bobby Pruett was a lot like Sonny, but he won a ton & backed up what he said. Still, no HC I've mentioned gave us the coaching lingo I'm talking about. Mark Snyder was a Son of Marshall. And now Doc. I swear, he talks about players that have "it". IMO, Holliday has the best combination of straight forward, honest evaluations, sense of humor & folksy demeanor we have had @ MU in my lifetime.
He will NOT speak poorly of the opposition, it's just not in his nature to do so. He praises individual players for the next foe on the schedule. He always shows respect for the other HC, and more often than not has a connection with them from earlier in his career. But he saves his highest praise for his guys: coaches, players & support staff/medical team. He gives us a little of that lingo: Lineman get highlighted for production points; He talks up the young guys and lets us in on their individual progress. He has an easy flow in his answers & analysis for the upcoming game. His emotion for his players is always just under the surface. It has to be infectious for Herd football. We have ourselves a ball coach, and I for one am so glad he's here.
(No one paid for this Doc Holliday appreciation statement. I have just been thinking this for a while and wanted to get it out there.....)
Go HERD !!!
WS
p.s. I can't believe he is only 2 years older than me. I guess I am gaining on them ;D)