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BLOOMINGTON, IN -- Donnie Marsh, whose 25 years of college basketball coaching experience include stops at Florida State, Virginia Tech and most recently, as the head coach at Florida International, has joined the Indiana University-Bloomington staff, Hoosiers head coach Mike Davis announced today. Marsh fills the position vacated by John Treloar's departure for a similar opportunity at LSU. Davis feels that Marsh's vast experience is a valuable addition to the Indiana program. "I've known Donnie for a long time, and I have always admired his coaching style," Davis said. "Donnie has been an assistant coach and a head coach, so he really understands the ins and outs of a college basketball program. He is a proven recruiter, and I know our players will feed off his work ethic and energy on the court." Indeed, Marsh is anxious to get started. "I have a great deal of respect for Mike Davis - the person and the coach," Marsh said. "I have an even greater appreciation for the history and tradition of Indiana basketball. To be blessed with the opportunity to join Coach Davis in his drive to get Indiana basketball back to a championship level is something to which I am very much looking forward." Marsh arrives in Bloomington after spending the last four seasons as the head coach at Florida International. During his tenure in Miami, the Golden Eagles ranked among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in total defense and offensive rebounding, and Marsh also played a key role in the development of guard Carlos Arroyo. After his stellar FIU career ended in 2001, Arroyo became the fifth Puerto Rico native in history to play in the NBA when he debuted for the Toronto Raptors. Arroyo also spent one season with the Denver Nuggets before spending each of the last two seasons with the Utah Jazz. Prior to Florida International, Marsh served as an assistant (1997-99) and associate head coach (1999-00) at Virginia Tech. Marsh had gone to Virginia Tech after serving as an assistant coach at Florida State from 1994-97. Marsh helped the Seminoles to the 1997 National Invitation Tournament championship game before losing to Michigan. As the head coach at Trenton State (NJ) College, now named College of New Jersey, from 1989-93, Marsh compiled a four-year record of 64-41. This was highlighted by a 22-6 record and NCAA Tournament berth in 1990. Marsh left Trenton State and worked for two years as the athletics director and co-curricular and extra curricular programs director for the Atlantic City (N.J.) Public School District. A 1979 graduate of Franklin & Marshall (Pa.) College) with a bachelor's degree in history and education, Marsh earned All-America honors and helped the Diplomats to a 27-5 record and NCAA Division III Final Four. The Atlanta Hawks chose Marsh with their third round pick (52nd overall) in the 1979 NBA Draft. Marsh was selected one spot ahead of former Notre Dame center Bill Laimbeer, who was tabbed by the Detroit Pistons. After a brief professional playing stint, Marsh spent six years as associate director of admissions, assistant basketball coach and head baseball coach at Franklin &Marshall. For one year, Marsh was president of Players in Action, Inc., a firm that represents professional athletes. Marsh made his head coaching debut at Division III Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, where he compiled a 12-13 ledger in 1988-89 before moving on to College of New Jersey. Marsh and his wife, LaRoyce, have two children: son, Tyler (16) and daughter, Sydnee (12).
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