Doc Holliday to Marshall? Seems imminent, somewhere beyond mutual interest, somewhere ahead of ink drying. Remember, anything can happen between the beginning and the end of the process. Let’s not call it official, but let’s not allow that to stop us from thinking about it.

A few things jump to the surface if Holliday is indeed the next Marshall coach:

– If Marshall is looking to invigorate its fan base, raise funds, sell tickets and jump start football, it’d be hard at this phase to find a guy better than Doc. One, his reputation is known. Two, a WVU expatriate would really get Marshall fans going. I mean, really, really get them going. It’s a hell of a one-up on the other side of this rivalry.

– I believe we’re one big step closer to calling it a rivalry now.

– Right or wrong, the move to Marshall generates a natural and immediate implication with which Bill Stewart must now deal. This is one of the better and most admired players in school history and one of the more celebrated assistants in the country leaving his alma mater for a major rival. It’s a lot to digest. Put it this way: Two days ago did you even consider this a possibility? In a broad sense, it’s a good career move for Holliday. He can do a lot there, even if he does a little. But if he does a lot, look out. However, in a much more broad and non-specific sense, people will wonder what’s going on at WVU if that guy leaves that job for that school down south. Remember, Holliday was a candidate for the WVU job. Again, right or wrong, there’s an implication involved. That’s how people are.

– Marshall’s done pretty well recruiting Florida — last year’s Mr. Football signed there — and with Doc it’d get better. That means WVU, which relies heavily on Doc and the same state, would have a harder time. There’s something about this state that kids from Florida like. Mountains, trees, seasons, the people, the attitude, the mentality, so on and so forth, and some or all appeal to a lot of those kids. Only so many come to the state and Marshall is going to get some of those players now because Doc can reel them like few others. Granted, it’s not a Big East or BCS school so WVU still has advantages there, but there are still good players who will go to CUSA. 

– The Mountaineers have a lot of work to do before National Signing Day. A lot.

– If Chris Beatty is/was thinking of leaving, he is perhaps in line for an upgrade now at WVU. He’d be a logical choice for Doc’s director of recruiting position as well as a subsequent pay raise. Any new lines on the resume help the reputation.

– New assistant? JaJuan Seider is the first name I think of right now. He’s a G.A., he knows WVU, he knows offense, he knows WVU’s offense and he really knows Florida. He’d fill in a lot of blanks.

– What of the WVU-Marshall series now? It could go in any direction because Doc’s involved.

– Doc’s staff will be, I believe, formidable. Here’s a guy who’s been waiting to get a head coaching job. His Rolodex is filled with names. He’s networked for years. I’m sure somewhere along the line he’s had conversations with or thoughts about people being on his staff. These people are not nobodies.

– Your thoughts?