Marc Hull will begin his seventh season on the Slippery Rock University football coaching staff in 2021. Hull will once again be responsible for The Rock’s linebackers in addition to serving as SRU’s special teams coordinator this season.
Hull came to The Rock to work with the linebackers prior to the 2015 season before adding special teams coordinator to his list of duties prior to the 2016 season.
Since coming to Slippery Rock, Hull has coached six linebackers to All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division accolades.
Led by All-American Brad Zaffram, The Rock’s linebacker group accounted for three of SRU’s top four tacklers a year ago in Zaffram (93), Shane Schuback (67) and Tim Vernick (63). Zaffram ranked second in the PSAC in tackles for loss (19.5), third in solo tackles (61) and seventh in total tackles.
Headlined by the trio of Zaffram, Vernick and Trysten McDonald, Hull’s linebacker group in 2018 was responsable for 316 tackles, 43 tackles for loss and eight sacks a year ago. Vernick and Zaffram ranked first and second on the team in total tackles with McDonald close behind in fourth. Zaffram went on to earn All-PSAC West, all-region and All-America accolades.
As was the case in his past three years as special teams coordinator, The Rock’s specialists continued to shine in 2019 under Hull. Jake Chapla earned All-PSAC West recognition as both a kicker and a punter while Jermaine Wynn Jr. received all-league recognition as a returner.
Hull coached The Rock’s youngest position unit in 2017 as 11 of the 13 linebackers were underclassmen including seven true freshmen. Despite the inexperience, Hull mentored redshirt freshman Dylan Whiteman and a true freshman in McDonald to great rookie seasons. Whiteman ranked third on the team with 75 tackles to go with 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. McDonald was second on the team in TFL with 10.5 to go with 61 tackles and two interceptions.
The Rock’s special teams continued to excel under Hull as well in 2017. SRU ranked 10th in the nation in punt return average in addition to leading the PSAC in net punting average and ranking third in kick coverage. Chapla earned All-PSAC West honors as both a punter and kicker and Marcus Johnson received first team All-PSAC West accolades as the league’s top returner.
In 2016, Hull’s linebacker corps played a pivotal role on a defensive unit that ranked sixth in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game as well as fifth in the PSAC in sacks and seventh in points allowed. All-conference linebackers Anthony Zappone and Bob Vernick ranked first and second on the team in tackles with 88 and 69, respectively.
On the special teams front, The Rock ranked third in the PSAC in average yards per kick return. Hull also coached a pair of freshmen kickers in Chapla and Josiah Davis. Chapla ranked second in the PSAC in made field goals with 11 and made the longest field goal in the PSAC, a 51-yarder against Mercyhurst.
In Hull's first season with SRU in 2015, his linebackers helped pave the way for the nation's second best rush defense as The Rock allowed less than 75 rushing yards per game. All-Region performers Teven Williams and Bob Vernick finished the year first and second on the team in tackles, combining for 187 total tackles and 33.5 tackles for loss between the two of them. Mike Grata added 62 total tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss to give SRU's linebackers a total of 249 tackles and 45.0 tackles for loss.
Hull, a 2008 graduate of San Diego State University, spent two years developing as a collegiate football coach while serving as a graduate assistant at Shippensburg University before moving to The Rock.
At Shippensburg, Hull worked with the defensive backs on the field and also had roles in recruiting, video coordination, film breakdown, practice preparation and scouting.
Before his time at Shippensburg, Hull worked as a linebacker coach at NAIA school Kentucky Christian University. Before that, he spent two seasons at West Los Angeles College working with the linebackers, secondary and special teams.
Hull earned four varsity letters at Division I San Diego State before graduating in 2008 with a degree in social science.
He is originally from Carson, California and currently resides in Slippery Rock with his wife, Brandi.
