WSAZ - News - Headlines

Marshall Fans Dish About Donnie Jones' Departure

By: Hanna Francis Email
Updated: Mon 11:51 PM, Mar 29, 2010

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Marshall University basketball fans have a lot of mixed feelings about head coach Donnie Jones' decision to leave town.

Last week, Jones talked about how happy he was with his team's last season and how excited he was for the next one, so it makes sense why fans are in shock.

To say that Joab Dellinger loves his alma mater, Marshall University, would be putting it mildly.

"I've always gone to games, I've been a season ticket holder for basketball and football," Dellinger said.

Monday, that love turned to a little frustration after Marshall University announced Jones was headed to enemy territory.

"The fact that it was a rival school, that it was UCF... We go all the way back to the MAC days," Dellinger explained, "That was really rough."

A group of first year medical students from Marshall spent Monday evening shooting hoops of their own at the University's Recreation center. They say it doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize Jones' decision could be a bad call.

"I wish him the best, but I think it's going to hurt Marshall," Jacob Kilgore said. "it may be good for him, but for us in Conference USA, I don't know if that's what we want because he's such a good coach."

Still, some fans say they're happy to see Jones go no matter who fills his basketball shoes.

"I've got a few picks, I don't know right now," Caleb Sharps said, "I just think anyone's going to be better."

One thing about heading to a rival school, though -- coaches are never really gone that long.

"Next year when Central Florida and him come to town it's going to be interesting," Dellinger said. "Very interesting."

The official announcement of Coach Jones going to the University of Central Florida will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Orlando.


Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
powered by Disqus
Click here to send us your pictures and video pix@wsaz.com

Call To Check Road Conditions

  • WEST VIRGINIA: (877) 982-7623
  • KENTUCKY: (866) 737-3767
  • OHIO:Click here

Click here for online road conditions

WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links

Download the WSAZ First Warning Weather App to your iOS or Android devices. It's FREE, sponsored by St Mary's Medical Center.
SOMC-Very good things are happening here
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more
Click here for closing and delays
Click here for school closings and delays. Sponsored by Buckeye Hills Career Center.
West Virginia Lottery nightly @ 6:59pm on WSAZ click here for numbers and drawings
Check out the WV Lottery HD Weather Cameras here. Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3.
Ohio Lottery
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3.
Making Moms LIfe Easier - with Diane Dimoff
Follow @MomsEveryday daily video tips from the experts about health, money, family fun, and more!
WSAZ Children's Charitable Foundation
Remember WSAZ Children's Charities as we end the year. Click here to donate. Thank you.
A WSAZ Salute to...
Join us as we salute our communities, fairs and festivals. Scheduled are Pikeville, KY, Mason Co, WV. Jackson Co, WV, Logan, WV, Putnam Co, WV, South Charleston, WV, Barboursville, WV, Milton, WV, Paintsville, KY, Gallipolis, OH
WSAZ NewsChannel 3 645 Fifth Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 304-697-4780 WSAZ Charleston 111 Columbia Avenue Charleston, WV 25302 304-344-3521
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability
User Agent: CCBot/2.0 - 89484177