Marshall offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Mark McHale, center, sheds a tear as he meets with senior offensive linemen, from left, Steve Sciullo, Steve Perretta and Jeff Edwards following the Thundering Herd's final practice before the GMAC Bowl vs. Louisville Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at UMS-Wright Preparatory School in Mobile, Ala.
Marshall offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mark McHale, right, speaks with the offensive line following the first offensive drive against Hofstra on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003, at Marshall Stadium.
Marshall offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Mark McHale, center, sheds a tear as he meets with senior offensive linemen, from left, Steve Sciullo, Steve Perretta and Jeff Edwards following the Thundering Herd's final practice before the GMAC Bowl vs. Louisville Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at UMS-Wright Preparatory School in Mobile, Ala.
Marshall offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mark McHale, right, speaks with the offensive line following the first offensive drive against Hofstra on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003, at Marshall Stadium.
Former Marshall University football offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mark McHale died Thursday. He was 74.
McHale coached under Bobby Pruett with the Thundering Herd from 2000 through 2004 before leaving to become an assistant for Bobby Bowden at Florida State.
Columbia (Mississippi) Academy, where McHale coached last season, posted on Facebook news of McHaleÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s death. Pruett confirmed McHaleÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s death of colon cancer.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMark was a good, solid, sound Christian,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Pruett said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe was healed by the good Lord, who took him home. He was a great coach, a great offensive line coach. He had a great offensive mind and was very loyal.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
McHale was popular among staff, players and fans. A devoted board member with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, McHale often spoke at churches and other Christian events.
McHale was diligent on the field, whether in games or workouts.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCoach McHale paid so much attention to detail that our film sessions were tougher than actual practice,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ former Marshall offensive lineman Joey Stepp said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDuring fall camp, he once made us wake up at 5 a.m. to watch an hour of film before anyone else was even awake.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Stepp said he loved McHale, and a photo of Vince Lombardi and quotes McHale gave him hang in his office.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCoach McHale was one of the best,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ former MU player T.C. Beaver said.
McHale was well known for recruiting Brett Favre to Southern Mississippi while an assistant with the Golden Eagles. Few teams recruited Favre at all, and the NCAA Division II programs that did sought him as a defensive back. McHale convinced Southern Miss coach Jim Carmody to sign Favre as a quarterback.
McHale, who also coached at Appalachian State, Louisville, South Carolina, Shepherd and in high schools, wrote a book entitled ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œ10 to 4ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ about Favre.
McHale, who was living with his wife, Beverly, in Mississippi, is a member of the Shepherd University Hall of Fame. He oversaw some of the most prolific offenses in Marshall football history.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMark is exactly what I was looking for in an offensive line coach,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Bowden said upon hiring McHale with the Seminoles. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHis maturity and experience will be a great addition to our staff. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s an excellent recruiter, and I think the chemistry will be good on the staff.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI will miss his calls and texts,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Nathan McPeek, a former offensive tackle for McHale with the Herd, said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe had a forever lasting impact on my life. He prepared us on the field, off the field, and most, he simply cared for us.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Former Marshall sports information director Ricky Hazel worked with McHale with the Thundering Herd and Southern Miss.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI hate to hear Mark has passed,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Hazel said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe was sneaky funny and was a always a joy to be around.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Memorials may be made to the Columbia Academy Football Program, 1548 Highway 98 East, Columbia, MS 39429.
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