South Carolina on Monday fired coach Frank Martin after 10 seasons, the school said.
Martin has spent the last two seasons in the hot seat, surviving last spring and even getting a two-year contract extension. And despite South Carolina finishing 18-13 overall and 9-9 in the SEC this season, the school decided to move on from Martin after ten years at Columbia. The Gamecocks have appeared in just one NCAA Tournament in the 10 seasons Martin has been in charge of the club, but that trip to the tournament in 2017 saw the school reach the Final Four for the first time.
When Martin was coach, South Carolina’s overall record was 171–147. The Gamecocks have finished in the top half of the SEC in three of the last four seasons, but have only gone over .500 in conferences four times in 10 seasons.
2 related
Martin traveled to South Carolina after five seasons as a head coach at Kansas State, where he appeared in four NCAA tournaments and won at least one game in each tournament, including the Elite Eight in 2010. Prior to leading the Wildcats, he was an assistant coach in Kansas, Cincinnati, and the Northeast. Martin, a Miami native, began his coaching career as a high school coach in the Miami area.
The NCAA tournament appearance was South Carolina’s only trip to the dance since 2004, when Dave Odom was still in charge.
Potential replacements include Cleveland’s Dennis Gates, Murray State’s Matt McMahon, Chattanooga’s Lamont Paris and former South Carolina star BJ McKee, who is now an assistant coach at Wake Forest. Another possible candidate is Oklahoma State’s Mike Boynton, who spent five seasons as an assistant coach in South Carolina under Darrin Horn. However, Boynton’s ransom is believed to be prohibitive.
According to sources, South Carolina was considered the favorite among the top ten recruits of Columbia native H. G. Jackson in the class of 2023. Martin’s dismissal may affect his recruitment; The other Jackson finalists are Duke, North Carolina, Georgetown, Auburn, and the G League.
“We look forward to participating in the Southeastern Conference and national championships,” said athletic director Ray Tanner. “We have a great environment, a dedicated fan base, and provide our student-athletes with an outstanding experience at the University of South Carolina. We will hire someone with a successful coaching history who has the energy, passion and commitment to excellence in all areas. areas of student-athlete experience.