Former Greensburg Salem High School and University of Tulsa wide receiver Brennan Marion has been hired to take over head coaching duties at Waynesboro Area Senior High School.
With school board approval last week, Marion officially replaces interim head coach Steve Myers, who inherited the position when Scott Shacreaw was relieved of his duties midway through the 2013 season.
Marion, hired at a salary of $6,954 according to published reports, topped three finalists out of more than 45 applicants. And first priority, of course, is recharging an Indians program that went 0-10 last season and 10-40 overall in the last five.
“I thrive on turning a negative into a positive,” said Marion, a head coach and physical education teacher at California's St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School in Vallejo in 2013. Marion, finishing his move to Franklin County on Thursday, helped the Bruins overcome a 2012 hazing scandal to make the playoffs for the first time in three years.
“Here, it's a little different. It's really a supportive community. The administration is great and they expect excellence in themselves. It's great to be in a situation where you just need to change wins and losses. I feel like the kids are already ready for business.”
Marion, 26, is certainly accustomed to overcoming long odds. Scarcely recruited out of high school, he matriculated to Foothill Junior College and then De Anza Junior College near San Francisco. After dire circumstances left him homeless for nearly three months, Marion drew aid from a De Anza assistant coach and eventually earned a scholarship to Tulsa.
In two seasons with the Golden Hurricane, he caught 82 passes for 2,356 yards and averaged a NCAA-record 31.9 yards per catch in his junior campaign. A developing late-round pick for the 2009 NFL draft, Marion was not selected after he suffered an ACL injury in the Conference USA championship game.
Marion would work his way back to secure an invitation to the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp. Months later during preseason camp, he suffered another ACL tear that derailed any chance of securing a spot on the roster or practice squad.
Waived by Miami in 2010, Marion credited hard work and his extensive training methods, two aspects he hopes to infuse at Class AAAA Waynesboro, with overcoming the odds.
“I've lived in major football states like Florida and California. I've spent a good bit of time in Oklahoma,” Marion said. “The only difference is PA kids are tougher, but they don't have the same training aspects. When I left Pennsylvania I was a good tough football player, but once I got that regiment down my game took off.”
Marion has continued his work with professional athletes, conducting strength and speed programs in the Bay area, and is co-owner of Player 1st, designed to help scholastic football and basketball players showcase their talent to junior college programs.
He's also got a few friends in his corner, like Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. Waynesboro Athletics Director Eric McIlquham said Malzahn, Tulsa's offensive coordinator during the 2007-08 seasons, made a call to endorse Marion on the day after Auburn lost to Florida State in the BCS National Championship.
“That's the most important thing right now, building relationships with the guys. I need to get to know them before they can judge my character and work hard for me,” said Marion. “I want to talk to them about their lives and my life. I feel like there's no where to go but up.”
MARION'S STORY ON ESPN FIRST TAKE (2009): VIDEO
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