Marshall hiring Alabama analyst as special teams coordinator

Marshall is bringing some Alabama flavor to their coaching staff. According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, Crimson Tide analyst Johnathan Galante is set to be hired by the Thundering Herd as their next special teams coordinator.

“Alabama analyst Johnathan Galante is set to be hired as Marshall’s special teams coordinator, a source confirms to @On3sports,” tweeted Zenitz. “First reported by @BruceFeldmanCFB. Galante, who had been at Alabama since 2019, previously worked at Virginia Tech.”

As Zenitz adds, Galante previously worked at Virginia Tech. In 2017, he received his start in coaching from the Hokies as a graduate assistant. Then, in 2019, he joined Nick Saban at Alabama. Now, he’s getting the biggest opportunity of his young coaching career, as Marshall is bringing him to their program.

Moreover, Galante isn’t the only SEC assistant joining Marshall. Earlier this month, the Thundering Herd hired Kentucky Quality Control Assistant Jovon Bouknight to be their new wide receivers coach.

Now, Johnathan Galante and Jovon Bouknight are taking their talents to Marshall. With the Thundering Herd, the two former SEC coaches are hoping to build the promising program into a perennial contender.

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Moreover, Johnathan Galante is the latest coordinator move Marshall is making. Earlier this offseason, On3’s Matt Zenitz learned the Thundering Herd promoted Clint Trickett to offensive coordinator.

Trickett will replace Tim Cramsey, Marshall’s previous offensive coordinator, who was hired away by Memphis this offseason in the same role. Cramsey had been Marshall’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for four seasons. The Thundering Herd went 7-6 last season, and the offense was 16th nationally in total offense (456.5 yards per game), 18th in passing (294.6 yards per game) and 30th in scoring (33.0 points per game). Additionally, Cramsey helped quarterbacks Isaiah Green and Grant Weels earn Conference-USA Freshman of the Year honors in 2018 and 2020, respectively, while Green was named co-Freshman of the Year after throwing for 2,459 yards and 15 touchdowns.

While Cramsey was calling the plays that aided in those quarterbacks’ progression, Trickett played a key role in their development, too. He previously served as Marshall’s pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach, a role to which he was hired in 2021, and helped the offense lead the team to bowl eligibility in 2021.

Trickett, a native of Florida, was once a coveted recruit coming out of high school, and he committed to Florida State, staying close to home. He spent three years at Florida State, but he backed up future NFL player EJ Manuel, and finished his Seminoles career just 66-of-107 for 947 yards and seven touchdowns.