Marshall opts out of bowl after transfers, coaching change

Louisiana Tech will replace Marshall as the opponent for Army in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, it was announced Saturday.

The announcement comes after Marshall officials notified bowl officials that the Thundering Herd wouldn't be able to participate, sources told ESPN, after a wave of players recently entered the transfer portal in the wake of a coaching change.

"It is unfortunate that Marshall determined they won't be able to compete in the bowl in a couple of weeks," Independence Bowl executive director Missy Setters said in a statement. "Our goal was to create the best matchup possible for our local fans and college football fans throughout the country, and we think we did that with two conference champions. Moving forward we are very excited to host Louisiana Tech and are thrilled we found an opponent for Army."

Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill also issued an official statement, apologizing "for the nature and timing" of the announcement and "for the turmoil" it has brought to bowl preparations for Army and all concerned parties.

The Thundering Herd, who won the Sun Belt Conference title, were set to face AAC champion Army on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Marshall coach Charles Huff left for the same post at Southern Miss a day after the Sun Belt title game after being unable to reach an agreement with the school on a new contract. The Herd quickly hired NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson as Huff's replacement. Army faces Navy later Saturday.

As of Saturday morning, Marshall has 36 players in the transfer portal, including 29 scholarship players and 17 players on the team's two-deep for the Sun Belt title game. All three Thundering Herd quarterbacks who played this season are in the portal, including starter Braylon Braxton, the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year.

Defensive end Mike Green, the Sun Belt Player of the Year, declared for the NFL draft Friday. A number of Marshall staff members also have left, some joining Huff at Southern Miss.

ESPN's Max Olson, Chris Low and Pete Thamel contributed to this report.