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Anytime you hear
the talking heads discuss the top coaches at the mid-major
level, names like Dana Altman (Creighton), Mark Few (Gonzaga),
Bobby Gonzalez, among others, are almost always included.
Rarely if ever do I hear the name Gregg Marshall.
The Winthrop coach has done an outstanding job of maintaining
excellence. His run, since arriving at Winthrop, is comparable
to Altman, Few, Gonzalez and others. He doesn’t nearly the
recognition that he deserves.
DAVE MAGARITY: Without a lot of national attention, the
Big South has produced some very impressive non-league wins in
recent years. Talk a little about the Big South.
GREGG MARSHALL: The Big South has steadily been
improving as a league in my seven years. I have consistently
seen good coaches and good players added to the league roster
and I think going into this year the league is as solid top to
bottom as I have seen it. Wins such as this year's win at
Providence and last year's 20-point win at Georgia can only
enhance the league's image on a national level.
MAGARITY: There is a long list of programs that have
enjoyed brief success, but you have been able to sustain it at
Winthrop. What has been the key to your success?
MARSHALL: We have been able to attract talented young
men for our basketball program who have allowed us to coach
them. That fact plus the facilities' upgrade, which has been
consistent through my tenure, has given us one of the finest
arenas of any school I know of on our level. These factors
allow us the opportunity to compete for championships every
year. I have also been fortunate to have tremendous staffs
with which to work.
MAGARITY: Given your success, it seems to me that any
discussion of successful mid-major programs, over the past few
years, should include the Eagles. At the high level everyone
is judged by the media, based largely on Final Four
appearances. Has it gotten to the point where mid-majors are
now judged solely on winning games in the NCAA tournament?
MARSHALL: That may be the case, but I feel that on our
level being a consistently successful program means competing
for your conference championship, whether regular season or
tournament every year. Our goal from day one has been "to be
playing in March with a chance to advance". If we find
ourselves playing in March "post-season play", then we
consider our season a success.
MAGARITY: How much of the John Kresse approach is part
of your approach today?
MARSHALL: Very much so. I have been asked when I will
differentiate from the system that I learned under Coach
Kresse. My answer is always the same: "Why tinker with
something that is not broken?" Coach Kresse, along with my
college coach, the late Hal Nunnally who got me in the
business of coaching to begin with, have been the greatest
influences on me as a coach. Everyone should be so fortunate
to have such quality mentors in whatever field they choose.
MAGARITY: I know that both you and your wife, Lynn,
earned your Master's Degrees so I am wondering, knowing what
you know now about the profession, would you prefer your
children pursue another endeavor other than coaching?
MARSHALL: Interestingly enough, my 8-year-old son,
Kellen, has already informed me that he wants to be an
offensive coordinator preferably for the Philadelphia Eagles!
I have tried to tell him he needs to try to play first and the
coaching would then be a by-product of the love he has for the
game and the knowledge that he gains through many years of
competition. Thank goodness he has his mother's intelligence,
so I feel that his academic, as well as athletic future will
be satisfying. My 5-year-old daughter, Maggie, I would
discourage from the coaching profession. It is very rare that
young coaches start at the top and I feel that would be
necessary for this precocious young lady.
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