Jan. 15, 2016
Chris Marve, a former two-time Commodore captain who ranks among the program’s career leading tacklers, has been promoted to linebacker coach, Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason announced today.
Marve has served two years as a Commodore defensive assistant under Mason. He worked as a graduate assistant focused on linebackers last year. In 2014, he contributed as a quality control assistant.
Mason said Marve is ready for the new role, saying the former four-year starting linebacker is “one of the top young defensive minds in college football.”
“Vanderbilt is exactly where Chris needs to build his coaching career,” Mason said. “Everybody here knows him, respects him and loves him. Chris is an ideal fit to guide our linebackers.
“There’s a great deal of respect for Chris on this campus from his playing days. For the last two years, Chris has demonstrated a commitment to the profession and to the Commodores. He brings a strong coaching acumen, character, focus and leadership to our staff,” Mason added.
Marve became one of the most decorated players in Vanderbilt history by garnering All-Southeastern Conference accolades in each of his four years. His performance on the field also helped the Commodores to postseason appearances in the 2008 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl and the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Former Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson, the man who recruited Marve to campus, was happy to hear of Marve’s ascension as a coach.
“I am delighted to learn that Chris has been hired as Vanderbilt’s linebacker coach. He was a natural playing the position and he will be a natural as a coach,” Johnson said. “Working with Coach Mason will only accelerate the process. I wish him many years of success in the coaching profession.”
Marve’s value to the Commodore defense and its linebackers has been evident in the last two years. In 2015, the unit ranked among the nation’s most improved, finishing fourth in first downs allowed, sixth in red-zone defense and third down efficiency, 22nd in scoring defense and 28th in total defense.
Last year, Marve also helped Zach Cunningham became an All-SEC linebacker in his first year as a starter. Cunningham registered 103 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries en route to earning consensus all-conference recognition and third team All-America honors from Phil Steele.
In Marve’s first year on staff, inside linebacker Nigel Bowden produced a banner 2014 campaign, earning Freshman All-SEC recognition after leading all SEC freshmen with 78 tackles.
Marve quickly established himself as a Vanderbilt student-athlete, earning Freshman All-America and All-SEC honors in 2008 after registering 105 tackles and four forced fumbles. He capped the season with a 10-tackle performance in the Commodores’ Music City Bowl victory over Boston College.
As a sophomore, Marve earned second team All-SEC recognition from league coaches after posting career highs with 121 total tackles and 57 solo stops. He also averaged 10.1 tackles in conference play.
Marve again earned coaches’ All-SEC honors as a junior defensive co-captain in 2010. That year, he finished with 80 tackles and eight tackles for loss.
As a senior co-captain, Marve contributed 91 tackles, earned All-SEC recognition from coaches and the Associated Press, and was instrumental in leading the Commodores back to postseason play. Marve’s final appearance was in his hometown at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Marve ranks eighth on the team’s career defensive charts with 397 total tackles. His career total of 28 tackles for loss is No. 9 all-time among Commodores.
Marve completed undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Human & Organizational Development in December 2011. He recently earned a Master’s of Education in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt’s Peabody School.
Marve is married to the former Lauren Dillard, a fellow Vanderbilt graduate.