Sacramento State’s president expects to make an announcement on who will be the next head football coach before the year ends.During an extended interview with KCRA 3, Dr. Luke Wood said he believes he will be able to announce in about two weeks who will take over after Brennan Marion, who recently announced he was leaving for an offensive coordinator position in Colorado.Marion was the Hornets’ head coach for a year before he said he was going to the University of Colorado. He is known for his “Go-Go” offensive strategy and finished his season 7-5 overall, missing the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.Wood, in his interview with anchor Brandi Cummings, said he had known for weeks that Marion was planning to leave and break his multi-year contract valued at more than $1 million. The president said he has “nothing but love for Brennan” and that he was happy for him and his decision to leave.He went on to boast about previous Sac State coaches who left for larger gigs at places such as Stanford and Louisiana State University.”We’re not losing coaches to bad places,” Wood said. “If anything, it means we’re selecting right.”Wood also said Marion’s time at Sac State, while short, helped elevate the allure of being the Hornets’ head coach.”We’re in a position that because he (Marion) was here, the folks who are reaching out to who now want to be here to be the next head coach are at a significantly different profile than we’ve ever had before,” Wood said. “He helped us do that. Yes, I wish he could have stayed, but I’m also happy that he’s chasing his dream.”Wood also addressed concerns of instability with the coaching staff and how it could affect players. He said stability is a key factor in considering the next coach to avoid a “revolving door” scenario.Marion’s departure comes amid multiple other developments with Sac State that include delayed plans for a stadium at Cal Expo and hopes of joining FBS, a move Wood is still confident will happen.”I know something other people don’t know,” Wood said. “I wish I could let people inside the door to know what’s going on, but I just simply can’t yet.”Wood also confirmed that any possible move to Cal Expo would not happen in 2026.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Sacramento State’s president expects to make an announcement on who will be the next head football coach before the year ends.
During an extended interview with KCRA 3, Dr. Luke Wood said he believes he will be able to announce in about two weeks who will take over after Brennan Marion, who recently announced he was leaving for an offensive coordinator position in Colorado.
Marion was the Hornets’ head coach for a year before he said he was going to the University of Colorado. He is known for his “Go-Go” offensive strategy and finished his season 7-5 overall, missing the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Wood, in his interview with anchor Brandi Cummings, said he had known for weeks that Marion was planning to leave and break his multi-year contract valued at more than $1 million. The president said he has “nothing but love for Brennan” and that he was happy for him and his decision to leave.
He went on to boast about previous Sac State coaches who left for larger gigs at places such as Stanford and Louisiana State University.
“We’re not losing coaches to bad places,” Wood said. “If anything, it means we’re selecting right.”
Wood also said Marion’s time at Sac State, while short, helped elevate the allure of being the Hornets’ head coach.
“We’re in a position that because he (Marion) was here, the folks who are reaching out to who now want to be here to be the next head coach are at a significantly different profile than we’ve ever had before,” Wood said. “He helped us do that. Yes, I wish he could have stayed, but I’m also happy that he’s chasing his dream.”
Wood also addressed concerns of instability with the coaching staff and how it could affect players. He said stability is a key factor in considering the next coach to avoid a “revolving door” scenario.
Marion’s departure comes amid multiple other developments with Sac State that include delayed plans for a stadium at Cal Expo and hopes of joining FBS, a move Wood is still confident will happen.
“I know something other people don’t know,” Wood said. “I wish I could let people inside the door to know what’s going on, but I just simply can’t yet.”
Wood also confirmed that any possible move to Cal Expo would not happen in 2026.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel