HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – During his stint as an assistant coach over the past 13 seasons, Alabama A&M men's basketball Head Coach Donnie Marsh got a good taste of the postseason.In fact, it was nine helpings of postseason play.
Now, he wants to bring that winning recipe to The Hill.
Marsh said there is a tradition of winning at A&M and the program is "capable of special things."
"This fan base, the support network, Bulldog Nation all want a championship," he said. "The fans deserve a chance to cheer the team in March.
"I think that's the ultimate for college basketball fans and I think this is a place where you can do that."
He wants to make Elmore Gym a real home-court advantage for the Bulldogs and an unwelcome place for visiting teams by packing the building "not just for certain games … but for all games."
"If you win all your (SWAC) home games, that's eight wins," he said. "Then you win some on the road and you're right in the mix."
Marsh said the Dawg Pound student section can be a prime – and powerful - ingredient for the home-court advantage. "When (Texas Southern) played here, the players were distracted down at that end."
The Maroon & White faithful can expect to see a hard-nosed Bulldog team that will make the opposing teams take notice that they are in for a fight, Marsh said.
"Players play and tough players win … Alabama A&M will bring the fight."
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Marsh's career as an assistant coach includes stops at South Florida (2013-15), UAB (2006-12), Indiana (2004-06), Virginia Tech (1997-2000) and Florida State (1995-97). He was head coach at Florida International from 2000-04.
A 1979 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in history and education, Marsh earned All-American honors and helped the Diplomats to a 27-5 record and NCAA Division III Final Four.
The Atlanta Hawks chose Marsh with their third round pick (52nd overall) in the 1979 NBA Draft - one spot ahead of former Notre Dame center Bill Laimbeer, who was tabbed by the Detroit Pistons.
After a brief professional playing stint, Marsh spent six years as associate director of admissions, assistant basketball coach and head baseball coach at Franklin & Marshall. For one year, Marsh was president of Players in Action Inc., a firm that represents professional athletes.
Marsh made his head coaching debut at Division III Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, where he compiled a 12-13 ledger in 1988-89 before moving on to The College of New Jersey.
Marsh and his wife, LaRoyce, have a son, Tyler, and a daughter, Sydnee.
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