DB coach Demetrice Martin 'likely' to join Arizona State in 2026

According to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin is “likely” to join the Sun Devils for the 2026 season. Martin has previously coached at UCLA, Michigan State, Oregon and Colorado.

Feldman’s report comes at an important time for the program in Tempe. Earlier this month, Dillingham and Arizona State finalized a deal to keep him in the Valley for five more years. The extension included a commitment to increase the football staff salary pool to around $11 million.

The increase gives the program greater flexibility to retain top-tier coaches and attract new ones. Martin’s experience working with defensive backs, along with his leadership background at programs such as Oregon, positions him as a strong candidate to join the ASU staff.

But the potential hire isn’t solely about money.

Dillingham and Martin share a history, most notably from their time coaching together at Oregon. That familiarity could play a significant role, as Dillingham continues to build continuity and trust within the Sun Devils’ program. Martin’s understanding of how the head coach operates and his expectations could make the potential new hire an immediate asset.

With an existing connection to Tempe and proven expertise in secondary development, Martin appears to be a strong fit to Arizona State and could help shape the next generation of Sun Devils defensive stars.