Marshall hit with $100,000 fine from Sun Belt for opting out of Independence Bowl

The Sun Belt Conference has fined Marshall $100,000 for backing out of participating in the Independence Bowl vs. Army on Dec. 28 due to a depleted roster ravaged by the transfer portal.

“While the conference acknowledges the medical model and best practice guidance adhered to 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 decision was detrimental to the Sun Belt Conference and its membership, to Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN,” the Sun Belt Conference explained in a statement announcing the fine. “The Sun Belt Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment.”

The Thundering Herd made the decision to opt out of the Independence Bowl game against the Black Knights on Dec. 14, roughly two weeks prior to the game, citing the nearly 30 players that had already left the team after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal in the first week it opened in early December.

Marshall ultimately had 37 total players enter the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason, according to On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Tracker.

No. 19 Army (12-2) would go on to beat Louisiana Tech (5-8), Marshall’s replacement in the game, by a score of 27-6, as Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily tallied 127 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground to go along with 65 passing yards in the game.

Marshall experiences transfer exodus after head coaching change

Marshall went 10-3 this past season under Charles Huff, whose contract was not renewed before he left to become the next head coach at Southern Miss after leading the Thundering Herd to a Sun Belt Championship in 2024.

Marshall quickly hired Tony Gibson as Huff’s replacement, but by that point a slew of players had already entered the transfer portal in the days following Huff’s departure. Within three days of the portal window opening on Dec. 9, 25 Thundering Herd players had already hit the open market, with more following as the week went along.

Once officially hired, Gibson worked to recruit players out of the portal, but none would’ve been available to contribute in the bowl game. Nevertheless, Gibson admitted he understood why so many members of the Marshall roster decided to test the transfer market after a coaching change.

“Any time coaches leave to take other jobs, it is emotional,” Gibson said during his introductory press conference. “And kids that are 18-to-22 years old are going to make emotional decisions instead of just breathing for a day or two.”

Nick Schultz contributed to this report.