The Sun Belt Conference announced Friday that it fined Marshall $100,000 for opting out of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl last month, although the Thunder swarmed after head coach Charles Huff withdrew from Southern Mississippi. The team's roster has been reduced to 41 players, with as many as 36 players on transfer. Portal.

Marshall athletic director Christian Spears told reporters Friday that the school accepted the fine and will move forward, but he made clear that the well-being of the players was the most important factor in the decision not to participate in a bowl game against Army, the American track and field champion. December 28th.

Louisiana Tech came off the bench and Army won 27-6.

“We are excited about the conversations currently taking place across the country around some of the rule changes (specifically, the single portal window that will be moved to January) to ensure that this does not happen to other agencies, but in good conscience we "We are not sending 41 student-athletes onto this field, and the health and safety of our student-athletes will always be our priority," Spears said. "But that doesn't take away the fact that we deserve a sincere and formal apology and we're very grateful to be part of the Sun Belt Conference and Commissioner (Keith) Gill's leadership and accept the fine that was imposed."

The Sun Belt said in a statement, "While it recognizes the medical model and best practice guidance Marshall adheres to and their fundamental concern for the health and safety of their remaining eligible student-athletes so that they can compete in a safe and feasible environment Play the Game” To some extent, the nature and timing of this decision is detrimental to the Sun Belt Conference and its membership, Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, USATF and (broadcast partner) ESPN. "

The conference added in a statement that it "considers the matter closed and will make no further comment".

Louisiana Tech was announced as Marshall's replacement on December 14 after Marshall informed bowl officials that he was safe to play. Marshall president Brad Smith told WSAZ-TV last month that of the 41 available players, some are scout team players and freshmen who have not played in a game. In addition, all three of Marshall's quarterbacks entering the 2024 season are in the portal, and 17 of the 22 players on the two-deep map for the Sun Belt Championship Game are in the portal.

Marshall improved to 10-3 in the Sun Belt championship game on Dec. 7, defeating Louisiana State 31-3. The next day, Huff was named the Southern Mississippi coach, despite reports that he would be the Southern Mississippi coach for at least a week. Marshall and Huff were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension before the 2024 season, and Spears said the two have agreed not to discuss a new contract during the 2024 season as long as Huff does not pursue other job openings.

"We've made an agreement that we're going to wait until the end of the season and we're going to focus on winning a championship and that's where we stand," Spears told Metro News last month. "Coach (Huff) has an opportunity to get an opportunity that he feels really good about, and we have an opportunity to get a guy (new coach Tony Gibson) who really wants to join Marshall."

The transfer portal opened the day after Huff committed to Southern Mississippi, and over the next two-plus weeks, 17 Marshall players announced transfers to Southern Mississippi, including quarterback Braylon Brax Braylon Braxton, the 2024 Sun Belt Rookie of the Year.

"The (Marshall) administration put a process in place and they went through it thoroughly," Huff said during his introductory press conference on South Mississippi. "In the end, they felt it was the right decision to go in the other direction. That decision was probably made before we won the championship, if that makes sense. It was a mutual decision. It wasn't a knock-down, drag-down decision. " -go out. "