Marshall University Director of Athletics Bob Marcum announced today that men’s basketball coach Greg White will return for his eighth season at the helm of the Thundering Herd program.

“In my opinion, Coach White is accomplishing a lot of the things that college basketball is all about,” Marcum said. “We are competitive in a good conference and graduating our players. The only thing we have not attained is post-season play, and that remains a priority.“

“With the number of young players on the roster this year, I believe this program is heading in the right direction.”

White, a 1982 Marshall graduate, took over the program at his alma mater in 1996. Under White the Herd has averaged better than 16 wins per season and has a 58-50 overall record in regular season Mid-American Conference games.

“After the season ended, I met with President Dan Angel and Coach White and I gave them both my evaluation of the program,” Marcum said. “Dr. Angel accepted my evaluation and recommendation regarding Coach White and the program.”

In addition to the program’s success on the court under Coach White, a recent article in the Toledo Blade recognized the Marshall program for it’s high graduation rates among men’s basketball players.

The report stated that of 30 players recruited to the program by White, 12 were still in school, and 12 of the remaining 18 had received degrees, or 67 percent.

The 2002-03 Herd finished with a record of 14-15, marking just the second losing season in White’s tenure. The squad, however, included just one senior with four juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen rounding out the roster.