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UMass hires South Carolina's Frank Martin as next head coach
A busy day of coaching hires in men's college basketball continued on Friday afternoon, as UMass officially announced its next leader.
Welcome to the #Flagship @coachFMartin!
— UMass Men's Basketball (@UMassBasketball) March 25, 2022
https://t.co/pqxpxbV8C7 pic.twitter.com/cAGnuhFDMD
Other new hires on Friday included Michael Lewis at Ball State and Steve Prohm returning to Murray State.
Martin spent five seasons as Kansas State's head coach from 2007 to 2012 before leading South Carolina for the last 10 years. He brought the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament four times and helped the Gamecocks get to the "Big Dance" once, when the team made it to the Final Four in 2017.
The recently turned 56-year-old has a career 288-201 coaching record. Martin earned the Big 12 Coach of the Year Award for the 2009-2010 campaign with Kansas State.
"We are thrilled to welcome Frank, Anya '98 and the Martin family back to the Commonwealth to lead our proud basketball program," UMass director of athletics Ryan Bamford said. "This is an exciting time for Massachusetts basketball, our university and all who follow and support the Minutemen. First and foremost, Frank is a tremendous person. He is a proven winner and a highly respected coach and mentor who has forged deep relationships with the young men in his program, resulting in inspiring competitive success and a rewarding student-athlete experience. Under Coach Martin's leadership, the future is bright for Massachusetts basketball."
Martin expressed his enthusiasm in joining the Minutemen on Friday as well.
"Anya and I have never been more excited to call a place home like we are with UMass," he said. "It is evident that there is tremendous alignment in place to win and do it the right way. We cannot wait to be in Amherst and represent that community and our incredible University. Let's all get on this ride together, let's dream big and let's be relentless at making our dreams a reality. Let's win! Go UMass!"
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