Posted 8:30 p.m. August 5, 2006 Doug Martin, a coach on the rise By Mike Blackerby editor@oakridgesports.com You might think it’s crazy to project someone coming off a 1-10 season as a shooting star in the college coaching fraternity. However, when you take a close look at Doug Martin’s track record and examine what he’s building at Kent State, project again. Martin, who quarterbacked Oak Ridge High School to back-to-back state championships in 1979-80, appears to be on the brink of big things at Kent State. Repeat, that’s on the brink of big things at Kent State. That’s saying volumes at a school known more for the infamous 1970 shootings of four students by the Ohio National Guard than its football tradition. Oh, by the way, Lou Holtz graduated from Kent State in 1958, too. “Last year was really disappointing,” said Martin in a recent phone interview. “I felt we had the talent, but we had a rash of injuries. Our top three running backs all got hurt and we ended up playing 14 true freshmen.” But Martin said the best thing about playing freshmen is they grow up to be sophomores. “The next three years we’re going to be a solid football team with a lot of kids returning each year. We’ve put down a good foundation.” But Martin – who has a whopping 18 starters returning this fall - has put down good foundations at every one of his coaching stops along the way. Productivity took quantum leaps at stops earlier in Martin’s coaching career when he served as offensive coordinator at East Tennessee State (1989-91) and East Carolina (1996-2002). The numbers in terms of points and yardage went up dramatically under Martin’s direction. The same held true when Martin, only 43 years old, assumed the offensive coordinator chores at Kent State in 2003 before being named head coach of the Golden Flashes in 2004. Kent State went 5-6 in Martin’s first season as head coach. The Golden Flashes finished with four wins in a row, the longest winning streak since 1976 at the school. Speaking of winning, Kent State has enjoyed just two winning seasons since 1977. Still, some are picking the Golden Flashes to be one of the nation’s most improved teams in 2006. Phil Steele, one of the top prognosticators on the college football front, predicts that Kent State will be one of the most improved teams in the country this season. In his “College Football Preview” magazine, Steele said Kent State “will be one of the surprise teams in the country this year and gets my call to appear in the MAC title game.” “We were hoping to fly under the radar,” laughed Martin, referring to Steele’s prediction. But you get the feeling in talking to the former Wildcat standout that there’s a quiet confidence that Kent State is about to turn the corner. “I’m at a place that has never really won,” said Martin. “Getting that confidence and that winners’ mentality is really a tough challenge.” But, if Martin can win at Kent State, he can win anywhere. Even at Kentucky. That’s where Martin earned four letters at quarterback from 1981-84 despite having an injury-racked career with the Wildcats. Kentucky already has a head coach, but for how much longer? Rich Brooks enters his fourth season at UK with a 9-25 record and is on the hottest of hot seats. Get the picture? Martin is happy at Kent State and has worked hard to position a woebegone program into a promising future. Couple that with the fact that his oldest son, Cory, has just committed to play baseball at Kent State. Considering those factors it would be hard to leave in the near future. Martin isn’t politicking for any job … but. “I loved my time at the University of Kentucky,” said Martin. “I guess every coach dreams of coaching at his alma mater one day.” Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. |
| The Doug Martin File Age: 43 High school: Oak Ridge, quarterback 1978-80 College: Kentucky, quarterback, 1981-84 Current residence: Stow, Ohio Occupation: Head football coach, Kent State University Family: Wife Vicki, children Cory (17), Molly (14), Bobby (12) |