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Donnie Marsh joins head coach Mike Davis at UAB as assistant coach. Marsh, whose 27 years of college basketball coaching experience includes stops at Florida State, Virginia Tech and head coach at Florida International, spent two seasons with Davis at Indiana, prior to joining the Blazer basketball program. Marsh's presence was felt immediately while at IU, as he coordinated the Hoosier defense. Prior to Marsh's arrival, Indiana ranked eighth in league play in points allowed (67.6) and fifth in field goal percentage defense (.433). Under Marsh's direction, the Hoosier defense improved considerably, rising to fifth in scoring defense (63.6) and tied for third in field goal percentage defense (.420). Marsh arrived in Bloomington after spending the previous four seasons as the head coach at Florida International. During his tenure in Miami, the Golden Panthers ranked among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in total defense and offensive rebounding. Marsh also played a key role in the development of guard Carlos Arroyo. After his stellar FIU career ended in 2001, Arroyo became the fifth Puerto Rico native in history to play in the NBA when he debuted for the Toronto Raptors. Arroyo also spent one season with the Denver Nuggets before spending each of the last four seasons with the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons, and is currently with the Orlando Magic. Prior to Florida International, Marsh served as an assistant (1997-99) and associate head coach (1999-00) at Virginia Tech. Marsh had gone to Virginia Tech after serving as an assistant coach at Florida State from 1995-97. Marsh helped the Seminoles to the 1997 National Invitation Tournament championship game before losing to Michigan. As the head coach at Trenton State (N.J.) College, now named College of New Jersey, from 1989-93, Marsh compiled a four-year record of 64-41. This was highlighted by a 22-6 record and NCAA Tournament berth in 1990. A 1979 graduate of Franklin & Marshall (Pa.) College 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. Marsh was selected 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 (18), who is a member of the UAB basketball team, and a daughter, Sydnee (14). |
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