A career defined by overcoming obstacles and an ability to bring out the best from every student athlete he encounters, Marlon has been a lifelong athlete, born into an extremely athletic family. His mother and father both played basketball at the University of Alabama. Marlon himself was a two sport athlete most of his life, but was unable to participate in the one sport he was completely smitten with, volleyball. Although an accomplished track and field athlete, which Coach Bankhead competed at the National level at numerous events, Marlon was still constantly trying to find a way to get into volleyball. The Bradshaw High School head volleyball Coach, Noona Kennard, allowed Marlon to participate in the varsity practices, which helped to lay the foundation for Marlon’s future career as a volleyball athlete and coach.