'Best path': Marshall leaders laud move to Sun Belt
Marshall quarterback Grant Wells (8) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a touchdown against Florida International during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Marshall quarterback Grant Wells (8) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a touchdown against Florida International during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Oct. 30, 2021 06:43 PM EDT
Marshall University interim director of athletics Jeff O'Malley speaks during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Marshall University interim director of athletics Jeff O'Malley speaks during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Nov. 01, 2021 02:31 PM EDT
Marshall University president-elect Brad D. Smith speaks during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Marshall University president-elect Brad D. Smith speaks during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Nov. 01, 2021 02:30 PM EDT
Marshall University interim director of athletics Jeff O'Malley, right, answers questions during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference as Marshall president Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert, left, and president-elect Brad D. Smith look on, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Marshall University interim director of athletics Jeff O'Malley, right, answers questions during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference as Marshall president Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert, left, and president-elect Brad D. Smith look on, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Nov. 01, 2021 02:29 PM EDT
Marshall University president-elect Brad D. Smith, center, is flanked by Marshall president Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert, left, and interim director of athletics Jeff O'Malley during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Marshall University president-elect Brad D. Smith, center, is flanked by Marshall president Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert, left, and interim director of athletics Jeff O'Malley during a press conference about joining the Sun Belt Conference, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Nov. 01, 2021 02:29 PM EDT
Marshall running back Rasheen Ali (22) powers up the field on a carry against Florida International's Savion Collins (98) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Marshall running back Rasheen Ali (22) powers up the field on a carry against Florida International's Savion Collins (98) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Oct. 30, 2021 06:50 PM EDT