Former De Anza Star Brennan Marion Named Sacramento State Head Coach
(From Sacramento State Athletics)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State Director of Athletics Mark Orr announced today that Brennan Marion has been appointed as the 13th head football coach in school history.
One of the top offensive coordinators in the country, Marion comes to the Hornets after spending the last two seasons at UNLV. Under his watch, the Rebels had great success, posting a 19-8 overall record and qualifying for a pair of bowl games. This season, UNLV ranked 14th in the FBS with a school-record setting average of 36.2 points per game. The team's average of 251.2 rushing yards per game would also be the most for the school in over 45 years. For his efforts, Marion was named one of five finalists for the Football Scoop Offensive Coordinator of the Year.
"I'm truly honored by the heartfelt welcome from President Luke Wood and Director of Athletics Mark Orr to be the program's next head football coach," Marion said. "Sacramento State is fully invested in becoming a nationally known football program, and I've always relished the opportunity to build and create. My family and I can't wait to serve the student-athletes of this program and the Sacramento community. As a University, we're going to write history and work tirelessly to build something that the community will be proud of for generations to come."
In Marion's "Go-Go" offense, five UNLV offensive players earned either first or second team all-Mountain West this fall. That includes WR Ricky White III, who became the first player in school history to post two 1,000-yard seasons, and Hajj-Malik Williams, who became just the second Rebel quarterback since 1996 to be named either first or second team all-league.
"I'm thrilled to announce Brennan Marion as our next head football coach," Mark Orr said. "Coach Marion is the perfect fit for our football program, our department, our University, and our community. His demonstrated success in recruiting promising student-athletes and maximizing their talents will help us return our football program to winning conference championships. I'm confident Coach Marion possesses the dynamic ability to cultivate impactful relationships with internal and external constituents surrounding Hornet football. He will lead the student-athletes in our program to reach and surpass their aspirations of achievement both on and off the field."
Following the 2023 season, Marion earned the Mountain West Wire Coordinator of the Year honor and was a nominee for the prestigious Broyles Award in just his first season at UNLV. During the season, the team scored 40+ points in a school-record six games and had 24 points in a school-record 10 straight games. The Rebels finished sixth in the FBS in third-down conversions (49.3 percent), tied for eighth in red-zone offense (93.1 percent) and 22nd in scoring (34.4 ppg).
UNLV was the Mountain West regular season co-champion and boasted a first team All-American in wide receiver Ricky White III, a Mountain West Freshman of the Year in quarterback Jayden Maiava and a rookie who led the nation among all freshmen in rushing touchdowns with 12 in Jai'Den Thomas as part of a school-record 39 overall rushing scores.
Marion came to UNLV from Texas where he served the 2022 season as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. The Longhorns finished with a top 25 scoring offense (34.5 PPG) while Marion tutored Big 12 Conference receiving touchdowns leader Xavier Worthy, who became the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Marion coached 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison at Pittsburgh. The nation's top wideout was a consensus first team All-American after setting a school single-season record with 100 catches for 1,593 yards and an FBS-leading 17 touchdowns. He would become a first round NFL Draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings.
UNLV was Marion's second stop in the Mountain West as he served as wide receivers coach at Hawaii in 2020. On the islands, he oversaw the development of all-Mountain West receiver Calvin Turner who was named the New Mexico Bowl Most Outstanding Offensive Player after compiling 252 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns in the Rainbow Warriors' 28-14 win over Houston.
In 2019, Marion was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at William & Mary, where he dramatically improved the Tribe's production in every major statistical category. William & Mary nearly doubled its scoring average while its total offensive output increased by almost 100 yards per contest.
Marion's first NCAA Div. I coaching opportunity came at Howard, where he posted two exceptional seasons (2017-18) as the Bisons' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2017, quarterback Caylin Newton was named the MEAC Rookie of the Year after becoming the first freshman in conference history to surpass 3,000 yards of total offense (3,185). Marion's offense sparked Howard to a 7-4 record in 2017, including a memorable 43-40 win over UNLV — the largest upset in college football history.
Marion also coached the running backs at Oklahoma Baptist in 2016 and spent the 2015 season as an offensive quality control assistant at Arizona State.
A 2009 graduate of Tulsa, Marion was a record-setting receiver for the Golden Hurricane. In two seasons at Tulsa (2007-08), he compiled 2,356 yards on 82 receptions with 19 touchdowns. He was a two-time all-Conference-USA selection and the 2007 C-USA Newcomer of the Year. Marion set NCAA records for yards per catch in both a season (31.9 in 2007) and a career (28.7).
Prior to Tulsa, he was a standout at De Anza JC. In 2006, he led California's junior colleges with 1,196 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 60 receptions. Following his collegiate playing career, Marion signed free agent contracts with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, as well as the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes.
A native of Greensburg, Pa., Marion was a four-year letterman in three different sports (football, basketball and track) at Greensburg Salem HS. Marion has three children, Mariah, Brennan and Melrose.
MARION'S COACHING FILE
2025-pres. Sacramento State – Head Coach
2023-24 UNLV – Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks
2022 Texas – Passing Game Coordinator, Wide Receivers
2021 Pittsburgh – Wide Receivers
2020 Hawai'i – Wide Receivers
2019 William & Mary – Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks
2017-18 Howard – Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks
2016 Oklahoma Baptist – Running Backs
2015 Arizona State – Offensive Quality Control Assistant
2014 Waynesboro Area (PA) HS – Head Coach
2013 St. Patrick-St. Vincent (CA) HS – Head Coach
2012 The Harker School (CA) HS – Wide Receivers
2011 West Valley (CA) CC – Wide Receivers
What Others Are Saying
"Coach Marion is a star in the profession. His experiences will put the program on the fast track for great success."
Barry Odom, Head Coach, Purdue
"Coach Marion is one of the best coaches I have been around. He is truly a players coach and makes sure his guys are good. He is always going to get the best out of his players. I would run through a wall for him."
Xavier Worthy, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
"I am thrilled to see Brennan Marion named the head coach at Sacramento State. From coaching him in college, it was clear he had something special about him. He is a rising star in our profession and I look forward to following his continued success in Sacramento."
Gus Malzahn, Offensive Coordinator, Florida State
"I have had the privilege to see Brennan Marion grow and develop to be one of the best offensive minds in the game today. His experience at all levels of football has led him to this awesome opportunity. He has been innovative in his offensive style and approach to putting points on the board and winning football games. He has tutored national award winners, All-Americans and all-conference recipients. I'm proud of Brennan and know he will do a great job as the head football coach at Sacramento State."
Mike London, Head Coach, William & Mary
"Coach Marion is one of the best coaches that I have had the pleasure to work with. His ability to connect with players and get the best out of them was evident since the first day we worked together at Pitt. I'm excited for him and Sac State next season."
Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
"Coach Marion is one of the most committed coaches I've had. He's very relatable and wants the best out of his players and team at all times."
Jordan Whittington, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams
"Big congratulations to Brennan Marion and Sac State. I'm very excited for all of Northern California. Sac State just hired one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football. His Go-Go Offense has changed the way teams look at every position on the field. Brennan is one of the top recruiters in the country. I know he will bring some of the best recruiters, teachers and developers in football. What a time for Northern California college football to bring back one of their own."
Maurice Jones-Drew, Former NFL Running Back
"Brennan Marion is a young engaging and energetic coach who put in the time and hard work to get where he is today. His work ethic and determination are contagious, and I am confident that he will not only lead the Sacramento State football program to success, but he will also positively impact the future of young men he coaches. I am proud to call him a friend and wish him the best."
Ross Wuensche. Dallas Cowboys National Scout
Article Link: https://hornetsports.com/news/2024/12/20/football-brennan-marion-named-head-football-coach.aspx