Marshall has seen a few eras come to an end over the past few months. Senior All-American defensive end Jonathan Goddard graduated. The team is saying goodbye to the Mid-American Conference and hello to Conference USA. And long-time coach Bobby Pruett retired suddenly, days before spring practice.

But new coach Mark Snyder is excited about moving Marshall forward despite all the changes. The former Thundering Herd standout player comes home from his defensive coordinator spot with Ohio State.

"It's euphoric," Snyder said of getting the Marshall job. "I'm sitting back in this chair right now and I'm the head coach at Marshall University. I don't get to sit back and enjoy it much right now, take a deep breath, but at some point and time I'll be able to."

Instead, he has to concentrate on getting ready for all-new players and facing new opponents.

SUMMARY: The Herd lost a lot of talent to graduation last year, and joining Conference USA in coach Mark Snyder's first year isn't going to be easy. The team struggled at times last year, and Snyder could find that trend continuing in his first year running the Herd.

-- New head coach Mark Snyder quickly got to hiring assistants, naming eight of his nine assistants on April 30, then finishing up May 3. Former Marshall standout Shannon Morrison, Todd Goebbel and Jared Smith were hired onto the staff, while offensive coordinator Larry Kueck, tight ends coach Shaine Miles, offensive line coach Mike Cummings, secondary coach Jim Collins and safeties coach and recruiting coordinator George Darlington were retained. Snyder completed his staff with the naming of Thielen Smith as defensive line coach.

-- Marshall defensive tackle Roger Garrett was indefinitely suspended from the team on May 6 following an arrest.

-- ON May 17, Marshall announced the resumption of its rivalry with in-state foe West Virginia. The Herd will play road games in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2012; Marshall will host in 2007 and 2010. The 2009 game will be awarded to the team with the best record after three games.

-- Former Marshall defensive end Jonathan Goddard was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of this year's NFL draft. Goddard led the nation with 16 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss in 2004.

2006 DRAFT PROSPECTS: Senior offensive lineman Toby Bullock should draw some NFL attention if he can hold together a Marshall front line that loses three starters. Bullock has great size and versatility, having played at both tackle and guard during his Herd career.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I wanted to get in here before the spring game and start some momentum, get that ball rolling. We're going to try to roll that thing through the summer and see if it can't translate into a packed house (in the opener) against William & Mary." -- New Marshall head coach Mark Snyder.

OFFENSE: Only three starters return for the Herd, and two of them are on the offensive line. That means new coach Mark Snyder has his work cut out for him in fall practice.

No quarterback stepped forward in spring practice to take over the starting job, so Jimmy Skinner, Bernard Morris and Derek Devine will all battle it out in the offseason for the honor of replacing Stan Hill under center. Skinner, a junior, has the most experience of the candidates, but Devine has spent the last two years playing in junior college rather than sitting on the bench.

Snyder remembers Ahmad Bradshaw from Ohio State's 24-21 win over Marshall last season. The sophomore gained 77 yards in the loss, making an impression on Snyder. Now that he has Bradshaw to work with, expect Snyder to use him quite a bit, especially with an inexperienced quarterback under center.

Although Josh Davis, who ranks second on the NCAA's all-time receptions list, is gone, there are quite a few receivers who can step up to help fill the void. Sophomores Emanuel Spann and Marcus Fitzgerald both showed flashes last year and look ready to step into leading roles this season.

Spann started eight games a year ago, catching 27 passes for 233 yards. He's also a dynamic kick returner. Fitzgerald, the younger brother of Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald, saw action in 11 games last year and caught 12 balls for 146 yards.

There's depth behind the duo as well, with senior Wilbur Hargrove, sophomore Shawn Lauzon, senior Nate Manns and junior Hiram Moore all vying for playing time.

Senior Jeff Mullins and sophomore Brian Shope are expected to split time at the tight end position in 2004.

Toby Bullock and Seth Cook return as starters along the offensive line, but Marshall needs to fill the other starting spots. Bullock played at guard the past two seasons but will likely move to a tackle position. He's expected to be the leader of the group.

Cook is the starter at right tackle, while sophomore Doug Legursky moves from a backup role to the starting center position.

Senior Ryan Baynes, junior college transfer Chris Barnes, sophomores John Inman, David Ziegler, and Nate Howard, along with redshirt freshmen Matt Altobello, Robert Austin, and Joe Unger will all compete for playing time.

DEFENSE: The defense doesn't have many returnees either, although the secondary does have three solid starters back.

Curtis Keyes was a second-team All-MAC selection last year at strong safety, leading the Herd with 108 total tackles. Junior cornerback Willie Smith had 40 tackles and four interceptions as a starter in 2004.

Chris Royal, the team's free safety, is garnering national attention for his play in the defensive backfield. Royal had 43 tackles and finished tied for second in the nation with six interceptions last year.

Junior Ivan Clark, North Carolina transfer Chris Hawkins and sophomore Geremy Rodamer will battle for playing time throughout the season.

All three of last year's starting linebackers have departed, leaving three open starting spots to be filled. Junior Matt Couch saw considerable playing time last season and should step into the starting lineup with little problem. Senior Dennis Thornton was also a valuable backup last season and will get a chance to expand his role as a starter. Travis Noel, Donte' Newsome, Adam Lee and Scott Wilks are all fighting to get some time at the position.

The biggest losses occurred along the defensive line, where all of last year's starters graduated, including All-American Jonathan Goddard, all-conference defensive end Jamus Martin and seniors Jamaal Whyce and Reggie Hayes.

The leading candidates to step in are junior Roger Garrett, redshirt freshman Blake Merritt and sophomore Byron Tinker. At the end positions, senior Demarcus Thomas, redshirt freshman Bilil El-Amin and juniors Shavar Greer, Gavin Herscher and Jason Kaminski will battle for playing time.