Helena Frye
Will Martin is a basketball coach and former player. He was named Missouri Western's head men's basketball coach in March 2020, following two seasons as an assistant coach. Prior to this, Martin was a manager at Kentucky, where he worked with the Wildcats' head coach, John Calipari, and spent four years in the program, experiencing three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and a 2012 NCAA championship win.
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What You'll Learn
Will Martin's career in basketball began at Kentucky
Will Martin's career in basketball began at the University of Kentucky, where he served as a manager for the Wildcats, the university's basketball team. Martin's first experience with basketball came in 2009, when he worked with the team's new head coach, John Calipari, a future Hall of Fame inductee. During his four years as an undergraduate in the program, Martin witnessed three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and a 2012 NCAA championship win.
Martin's dedication and work ethic during his time at Kentucky did not go unnoticed by Coach Calipari, who praised his drive, work ethic, and ability to connect with players. This strong foundation set the stage for Martin's future success in basketball. After graduating, he went on to play for Piedmont University's men's basketball team, featuring as a forward.
Transitioning from his playing career, Will Martin returned to the world of basketball as a coach. In March 2020, Missouri Western appointed him as the head coach of their men's basketball team. This marked a significant step in Martin's career, as he moved from an assistant coach to the forefront of the team's leadership. Martin's passion and purpose in coaching extend beyond X's and O's or winning games. Instead, he emphasizes the impact he can have on his players' lives, reflecting the lessons he learned during his time at Kentucky.
Martin's start at Kentucky, under the mentorship of Coach Calipari, laid the groundwork for his coaching philosophy. Calipari's emphasis on putting players first left a lasting impression on Martin, influencing his approach to coaching and his desire to make a positive impact on his players' lives. As Martin takes on new challenges, the lessons learned during his time at Kentucky continue to shape his journey as a basketball coach.
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Martin's time as a manager at Kentucky
Will Martin joined the University of Kentucky as a first-year manager in 2009. During his four years in the program, he experienced three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and a 2012 NCAA championship win. Martin worked with the Wildcats' new head coach, John Calipari, who would become his first mentor in basketball.
Martin's time at Kentucky was highlighted by his dedication to the players and his work ethic. Calipari recalled Martin's potential, stating, "Will has a bright future ahead of him in our profession... When he was with us as a manager, you could see the drive, you could see the work ethic, and you could see the way he connected with our players." Martin himself acknowledged the impact of his time at Kentucky, particularly the importance Calipari placed on taking care of the players.
During his tenure with the Wildcats, Martin also served as the head manager of the 2012 National Championship team and worked with Anthony Davis, who was preparing for the NBA Draft at the time. Davis was the first overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft and has since become one of the league's top players.
In addition to his role with the men's basketball program, Martin served as captain of the University of Kentucky Ethics Debate team from 2009 to 2011, leading the team to its first-ever Regional Championship and national appearance.
After graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2012, Martin went on to pursue a career in coaching, eventually becoming the head coach at Missouri Western State University (MWSU). He returned to Rupp Arena in 2022, facing his alma mater in an emotional homecoming as a coach.
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Missouri Western names Will Martin head coach
Missouri Western has named Will Martin as its men's basketball head coach. Martin was appointed in March 2020, marking his first head-coaching role. He previously served as an assistant coach for two seasons under Sundance Wicks, who resigned to become an assistant coach at Wyoming.
Martin's basketball career began at Kentucky in 2009, where he worked as a first-year manager under head coach John Calipari. During his four undergraduate years in the program, he experienced three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and a 2012 NCAA championship win. Calipari, a future Hall of Fame coach, became Martin's first mentor in the sport. Reflecting on Martin's time at Kentucky, Calipari praised his drive, work ethic, and ability to connect with players.
As Missouri Western's head coach, Martin expressed his passion for impacting players' lives and expanding his influence. In the 2020-21 season, he led the Griffons with a roster that included top scorers like First Team All-MIAA guard Tyrell Carroll and reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year forward Will Eames. The team also boasted depth with three seniors and several talented freshmen, including John Anderson Jr., Reese Glover, and Dalton Marsh.
Martin's appointment as head coach was well-received, with players rallying behind him and embracing the phrase "Protect Looney," reflecting their home-court mentality. His former colleague, Davis, also congratulated him on Twitter, highlighting Martin's care for his players and his ability to push them to be great.
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Martin's first season as head coach
I found information about several basketball coaches with the name Martin:
Cuonzo Martin
Cuonzo LaMar Martin is an American basketball coach and former player. He is currently in his second tenure as the head men's basketball coach at Missouri State University, a position he previously held from 2008 to 2011. He has also been a head coach at the University of Tennessee, University of California, Berkeley (Cal), and the University of Missouri.
In his first season as a head coach at Missouri State, Martin's team finished with an 11-20 record. The following season, they started with a 10-0 start and finished with a record of 24-12, winning the CIT tournament. In his third year, the team won their first regular-season Missouri Valley Men's Basketball title.
Frank Martin
Frank Martin is the head coach for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team. He previously served as the head coach of the University of South Carolina men's basketball team for ten seasons and Kansas State University for five seasons. In his first season as head coach at Kansas State, Martin led the team to its first NCAA tournament berth since 1996. They defeated then-No. 10 Texas A&M, giving them their first win over a ranked team in nearly a year, and their first victory over a Top 10 team since 2004.
Will Martin
Will Martin was named the men's basketball head coach at Missouri Western in March 2020, after two seasons as an assistant. Before that, he spent four years as a first-year manager at Kentucky, working with head coach John Calipari.
Unfortunately, I could not find specific information about Will Martin's first season as a head coach. Would you like to know more about any of these coaches?
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Martin's career as a forward
Will Martin's career in basketball began at the University of Kentucky in 2009, where he worked as a manager for the Wildcats' new head coach, John Calipari. Martin spent four years in the program, during which he experienced three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and a 2012 NCAA championship win.
Martin's playing career is not extensively documented, but he is listed as a forward for Piedmont University's men's basketball team.
After his undergraduate years, Martin went on to become the head men's basketball coach at Missouri Western in March 2020. He had previously served as an assistant coach for two seasons. In an interview with NCAA.com, Martin expressed his passion for coaching and his belief that impacting players' lives is more important than winning games.
Martin's former mentor, John Calipari, recalled Martin's drive, work ethic, and ability to connect with players during their time together at Kentucky. Calipari's endorsement highlights Martin's potential for a successful coaching career.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Martin is the men's basketball head coach at Missouri Western.
Will Martin's first role in basketball was as a first-year manager at Kentucky in 2009.
Will Martin's 18-inch pilgrimage from assistant coach to head coach signifies the end of a journey.
Will Martin plays as a forward.
