Frank Martin (basketball coach)
Encyclopedia
Frank Martin is the head men's basketball
coach at Kansas State University
. Martin was announced as Kansas State's 22nd head men's basketball coach on April 6, 2007, following the resignation of Bob Huggins
, who departed for West Virginia University
. Martin's hiring represents his first job as a head coach
at the collegiate level.
, is the son of Cuban
immigrants and the first American
-born member of his family. He graduated
with a bachelor's degree
in physical education from Florida International University
in 1993. One of the two jobs he held while attending FIU was that of a bouncer
at a local nightclub
. He decided to become a full-time basketball coach in 1992 as a result of an incident in which he was subjected to gunfire
, while on duty, from a group of men whom he had ejected for fighting.
At the same time, he had begun his career in basketball as the head coach of the boys' junior varsity squad at Miami Senior High School in 1985. He served in that position for eight years until he was appointed to his first varsity coaching job at North Miami Senior High School
after he completed his studies at FIU in 1993. He returned to Miami Senior two years later to head its varsity team
. Under his watch, the Stingarees won three consecutive state championships from 1996 to 1998. The last of those titles was later vacated due to recruiting violations involving school employees and booster
s who gave housing assistance to the players. Although he was never personally accused of any wrongdoing, Martin was dismissed in 1999. He next served in a similar capacity at Booker T. Washington High School for one year.
from 2000 to 2004. He moved to the University of Cincinnati
, serving one season each under Bob Huggins
and Andy Kennedy
. Martin followed Huggins to Kansas State, joining his staff on April 5, 2006.
Entering the 2007–2008 season, the Wildcats started the season ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 1972. Frank Martin led the Wildcats to a victory over then-No. 10 Texas A&M
on January 19, 2008, which was their first win over a ranked opponent since a February 3, 2007 win at the University of Texas
. Martin was an assistant under Huggins at the time of the win. The win against Texas A&M was the first win over a Top 10 team since March 6, 2004 at home against Texas.
On January 30, 2008, Martin led Kansas State to an 84–75 victory over then-No. 2 Kansas, marking the Wildcats' first home win over their in-state rival since 1983. Martin led the 2007–2008 Wildcats to their first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1996.
He was awarded the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year by the conference on March 7, 2010. Later that month, he led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight--their deepest run in the tournament since 1988.
He was given a contract extension that will last until the 2014-2015 season. His salary will increase to $1.2 million, plus incentives, for 2010-11. The salary will increase by $100,000 a year for each subsequent year of the contract, topping out at $1.6 million in 2014-15.
After Frank Haith left Miami to take the Missouri head coaching job in the spring of 2011, there were rumors that Frank Martin, born and raised in Miami, was going to leave Kansas State and take the job. These rumors ended when it was announced that Jim Larranaga took the job. Frank Martin said he is happy where he is in Manhattan and has no intentions of leaving in the near future.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach at Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
. Martin was announced as Kansas State's 22nd head men's basketball coach on April 6, 2007, following the resignation of Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins, nicknamed "Huggy Bear", is the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team. Huggins previously held the head coaching positions at the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University...
, who departed for West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
. Martin's hiring represents his first job as a head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
at the collegiate level.
Early career
Martin, who grew up in Miami, FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, is the son of Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
immigrants and the first American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born member of his family. He graduated
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in physical education from Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
in 1993. One of the two jobs he held while attending FIU was that of a bouncer
Bouncer (doorman)
A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
at a local nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
. He decided to become a full-time basketball coach in 1992 as a result of an incident in which he was subjected to gunfire
Gunfire
Gunfire can refer to:* Gunshot, the discharge of a firearm* Gunfire , a DC comic book superhero* Gunfire , a 1934 Western starring Rex Bell* Gunfire , a 1950 Western starring Don "Red" Barry...
, while on duty, from a group of men whom he had ejected for fighting.
At the same time, he had begun his career in basketball as the head coach of the boys' junior varsity squad at Miami Senior High School in 1985. He served in that position for eight years until he was appointed to his first varsity coaching job at North Miami Senior High School
North Miami High School
North Miami Senior High School , is a secondary school located at 800 NE 137th St in the city of North Miami, Florida, USA.North Miami Senior High School opened as Edward L. Constans Junior-Senior High School in 1951, with 1,500 students in 7th, 8th and 9th grades. Another grade was added each year...
after he completed his studies at FIU in 1993. He returned to Miami Senior two years later to head its varsity team
Varsity team
In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of secondary schools, against...
. Under his watch, the Stingarees won three consecutive state championships from 1996 to 1998. The last of those titles was later vacated due to recruiting violations involving school employees and booster
Booster club
A booster club is an organization that is formed to support an associated club, sports team, or organization. Booster clubs are popular in American schools at the high school and university level...
s who gave housing assistance to the players. Although he was never personally accused of any wrongdoing, Martin was dismissed in 1999. He next served in a similar capacity at Booker T. Washington High School for one year.
College coaching career
He joined the college ranks as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Northeastern UniversityNortheastern Huskies
The Northeastern University Huskies are the athletic teams representing Northeastern University. They compete in thirteen varsity team sports: men's and women's hockey ; men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's field hockey and volleyball, swimming, and men's and women's soccer , and...
from 2000 to 2004. He moved to the University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball
The Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. They currently compete in the Big East Conference and are coached by Mick Cronin. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in...
, serving one season each under Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins, nicknamed "Huggy Bear", is the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team. Huggins previously held the head coaching positions at the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University...
and Andy Kennedy
Andy Kennedy (basketball coach)
Andy Kennedy is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at the University of Mississippi . Kennedy was a player in high school at both Winston Academy and Louisville High School...
. Martin followed Huggins to Kansas State, joining his staff on April 5, 2006.
Entering the 2007–2008 season, the Wildcats started the season ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 1972. Frank Martin led the Wildcats to a victory over then-No. 10 Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball
The Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball team represents Texas A&M University in NCAA Division I college basketball. The Aggies play home games at Reed Arena, a 12,500-capacity arena in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A&M University....
on January 19, 2008, which was their first win over a ranked opponent since a February 3, 2007 win at the University of Texas
Texas Longhorns men's basketball
The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represents The University of Texas at Austin in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Longhorns currently compete in the Big 12 Conference....
. Martin was an assistant under Huggins at the time of the win. The win against Texas A&M was the first win over a Top 10 team since March 6, 2004 at home against Texas.
On January 30, 2008, Martin led Kansas State to an 84–75 victory over then-No. 2 Kansas, marking the Wildcats' first home win over their in-state rival since 1983. Martin led the 2007–2008 Wildcats to their first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1996.
He was awarded the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year by the conference on March 7, 2010. Later that month, he led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight--their deepest run in the tournament since 1988.
He was given a contract extension that will last until the 2014-2015 season. His salary will increase to $1.2 million, plus incentives, for 2010-11. The salary will increase by $100,000 a year for each subsequent year of the contract, topping out at $1.6 million in 2014-15.
After Frank Haith left Miami to take the Missouri head coaching job in the spring of 2011, there were rumors that Frank Martin, born and raised in Miami, was going to leave Kansas State and take the job. These rumors ended when it was announced that Jim Larranaga took the job. Frank Martin said he is happy where he is in Manhattan and has no intentions of leaving in the near future.