Topic: Morgan Zerkle

[Herdkrush]

Has been named new softball coach! Great hire!

[MarshallHerdFan99]

I had a crush on the girl in high school and I REALLY REALLY hope she does well. I just don?t like the picking someone that?s a alumni over someone with head coaching experience. And with our softball history Megan Smith came over from a P5. I hope it works out so much. Just nervous about picking someone with no head coaching experience

Look at Pruett, Snyder, Holiday, Dantoni. It can absolutely go anyway.

[FilmJunky]

First of all, a big congrats to Morgan Zerkle. She knows the game and is an even better person. She has my full support for this job and I think she has potential to do really well, and will be a popular hire with herd fans.

I am going to play devils advocate here for a second just because someone has to. This is also a little shocking at the same time that an assistant in the MAC got am incredible promotion to head coach of a top 2 program in the SBC. I feel like this may not have been the best time to take a leap on a first time head coach given that Louisiana has set the standard for SBC softball coming off a Super Regional appearance. This seems like it may be a little bit of a reach to me, and maybe we should have found someone with head coaching experience.

Like stated above, I support this decision, but I am a little shocked.

[thunderingon]

Low risk with a very high potential reward hire.  She immediately is recognized and has community support behind her.  My guess is she surrounds herself with experience and this program continues its upward momentum.  Very smart hire.

[CoachMaclid]

I am going to play devils advocate here for a second just because someone has to. This is also a little shocking at the same time that an assistant in the MAC got am incredible promotion to head coach of a top 2 program in the SBC. I feel like this may not have been the best time to take a leap on a first time head coach given that Louisiana has set the standard for SBC softball coming off a Super Regional appearance. This seems like it may be a little bit of a reach to me, and maybe we should have found someone with head coaching experience.

Like stated above, I support this decision, but I am a little shocked.

I don't think this is your typical "first time head coach hire".  In the Athletes Unlimited format, she's done the weekly team drafts as a captain and is one of the better pros at putting together a team.  Shes coached under Stanton, who is still the standard bearer for our program.  A two time Softball World Cup participant for Team USA, she is still statistically one of the best active pros in the game, and that's a tremendous advantage she will initially have over virtually any other college head coach in recruiting out of the gates.

Add in that she's a hometown hero and All-American alum, I don't think you can pass that up if you are Marshall.

[FilmJunky]

I don't think this is your typical "first time head coach hire".  In the Athletes Unlimited format, she's done the weekly team drafts as a captain and is one of the better pros at putting together a team.  Shes coached under Stanton, who is still the standard bearer for our program.  A two time Softball World Cup participant for Team USA, she is still statistically one of the best active pros in the game, and that's a tremendous advantage she will initially have over virtually any other college head coach in recruiting out of the gates.

Add in that she's a hometown hero and All-American alum, I don't think you can pass that up if you are Marshall.

I don't disagree as I stated I support the decision, and maybe this isn't your typical assistant to head coach promotion.

[herdfan129]

Excellent hire. She has connections everywhere at this point.

[herdorbust2]

Only time will tell but I like how spears is hiring so far. Not afraid to think outside the box. I love the woman's basketball hire and he is willing to take a chance and what could be a really good hire with Zirkle. I really hope when the mens job comes open he thinks outside the box and hits a home run.

[chris88]

I would think she is a detailed person and knows how to effectively run a program.  Recruiting/using portal will determine if the program continues its upward trajectory.  In the Herdzone article she apparently made it known that the Marshall job was her dream job. She has work cut out for her in year one trying to replace what the former coach took and Nester using up her eligibility. I'm glad the search didn't drag on.  Welcome Morgan and best of luck!

[svherd]

She'll need to find some pitching for sure. A few hitters wouldn't hurt either. Best wishes to her. Always tough hiring an alum - double edged sword. Go get 'em!

[Collis P]

I really like her potential especially with Pro, College, and USA teams.  Hopefully she can recruit the Best players from the Tri-state as well as the State of WV.  There are Good players in this area!!  She has always been aggressive!  To start with she needs to hire a good recruiter and pitching coach!    Good Luck!   Go girl!

[svherd]

Wonder if Spears considered Frost or anyone else? Surely the job would attract some solid candidates

[MidlandKnight]

Wonder if Spears considered Frost or anyone else? Surely the job would attract some solid candidates

I was told we reached out to some pretty well known ACC/SEC assistant coaches and they declined to interview due to the pay being less than what they were already making. As to Missy, when the job was open after Shawnda left she was not interested due to family/personal issues. My guess is that has not changed, she has been in Indy for a long time.

Despite Morgan's age she is a good hire. In the last ten years she has been around the who's who of softball coaches. In addition, Shawnda is an absolute great coach that she spent six years with, add in the  last four with Kirin Kumar another excellent coach.

[MicDrass1]

There is a learning curve being a HC vs AC, but how long for each person nobody knows. 

[svherd]

Be interesting who she brings on as assistants. Those are crucial hires

[MicDrass1]

Be interesting who she brings on as assistants. Those are crucial hires

Experienced

[diamante]

I have 100% confidence in Coach Zerkle.

[BigJimslade]

I had a crush on the girl in high school and I REALLY REALLY hope she does well. I just don?t like the picking someone that?s a alumni over someone with head coaching experience. And with our softball history Megan Smith came over from a P5. I hope it works out so much. Just nervous about picking someone with no head coaching experience

Look at Pruett, Snyder, Holiday, Dantoni. It can absolutely go anyway.

Kinda creepy

[sardistim]

It will be interesting to see if she recruits towards the quick, base stealing game that Marshall played when she was the star. 

[Johnnyherd]

It's not a good hire, it's an OUTSTANDING hire.  We are lucky that a woman of her talent and character is leading our program.

[IM4DHERD]

Kinda creepy

Sounds like he was in high school with her, not some 50 year old in the stands.  Chill out.

[coalherd]

Be interesting who she brings on as assistants. Those are crucial hires

Did all of our assistants go to NC with our former HC?  If not, hope one or so are considered to be retained by Coach Zerkle just for some continuity/familiarity for the team players who stay at MU!

[Herdkrush]

Did all of our assistants go to NC with our former HC?  If not, hope one or so are considered to be retained by Coach Zerkle just for some continuity/familiarity for the team players who stay at MU!

Coach Holub hasn't been announced at UNC yet but she is not listed on coaching staff on Marshall coaching staff either.

[MarshallHerdFan99]

Sounds like he was in high school with her, not some 50 year old in the stands.  Chill out.

Yes. We were in the same grade together


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[CJHerdgrad]

That's how I took it. 

Regardless, with her connections and experience since leaving MU, she looks like a good hire.  I wish her luck.

Yes. We were in the same grade together


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