Marshall graduated from Deshler High School in 1965. After graduation he was signed to a football scholarship to Tennessee Tech University. Upon graduation from college he began his first teaching and coaching job at Elizaththan High School in east Tennessee. After two months on the job he was drafted in the United States Army serving in Viet Nam. Following two years in service he was hired by Muscle Shoals High School in 1972 to teach physical education and coach. He coached football and basketball for five years. In 1988 he began a highly successful tenure as the head tennis coach for the Trojans, a position he held until retirement in 2005. His girls teams won state titles in 1997 and 1999 followed by boys championships in 2004 and 2005. In 2000 he was voted "Coach of the Year" by his fellow coaches. As a high school athlete he played football, basketball ad ran track. He was selected to the All TVC Conference Football Team in 1964 and 1965. At Tech he lettered as a defensive back for three years.