He's known to most as "Doc" Holliday, but Sally Holliday still refers to her son as John.   She couldn't be more thrilled with the developments that will give her son his first head coaching job only a few miles from his home place in Putnam County.

"We're just really glad," Mrs. Holliday told MetroNews from her home in Hurricane Thursday morning. "We've seen more of him in the last year or so than the last ten since he was so far away at NC State and Florida."

Holliday is one of five children raised by Sally and James Holliday on their farm in Putnam County.   New jobs are becoming standard in the household, since Jim, a retired Putnam County judge was recently appointed as an interim judge in Kanawha County for a few weeks.  The proud mother couldn't be more thrilled to have her son take a head coaching job as he's always wanted and to do it so close to home.

"John has a lot of good experience, he's played under wonderful coaches and he's had a lot of time to learn the game," said Sally. "I think it's great, he'll do well and I think he's ready for it.  We're just really proud of him and glad to have him here."

With five children and 15 grand children the holidays are always a crazy time at the Holliday home in Putnam County.  However, Mrs. Holliday says it will be even crazier this year.

"We were going to be having the Gator Bowl and then watching our grandson in the Sugar Bowl that night," said Mrs. Holiday. "Hopefully maybe John will get to watch him in the Sugar Bowl."  

Mrs. Holliday says she had never dreamed Marshall would be where her son landed because she and the family were so dedicated and tied to WVU.  The Holliday family has four generations who have attended school in Morgantown, but that will now change at least a bit.

"I think he can be good at Marshall and use all his talents, knowledge and experience and bring Marshall along," she said. "We're thrilled. Our hearts are where he is and it certainly will be with Marshall now."