Report: Cuonzo Martin nearing deal to become Missouri State head coach

Cuonzo Martin is likely returning to Missouri State. On Monday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the program is nearing a deal to hire Martin as its next head coach.

Martin was the head coach at Missouri State from 2008-11, boasting a 61-41 overall record and 26-28 mark in conference play. Most recently, Martin was the head coach at Missouri for five seasons.

After finishing with a 12-21 record in the 2021-22 season, Missouri fired Martin. He reached two NCAA Tournaments with the program. His team in the Round of 64 in both appearances. Martin was not hired at another program immediately after his dismissal from Mizzou.

Turning the clock back, after Martin spent three seasons at Missouri State, he accepted an offer to become Tennessee’s next head coach. In three seasons with the Volunteers, Martin led the program to two NIT appearances and one Sweet Sixteen.

Martin’s best season with the program was from 2013-14 when the Vols went 24-13 under his tutelage. Toward the end of his time with Tennessee, fans campaigned for Martin to be replaced by Bruce Pearl. Martin left Tennessee and took the reigns at California.

He spent three years with the Golden Bears, amassing an impressive 62-39 record. He made one NCAA Tournament appearances with the program. Notably, Martin mentored future NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown during his time on the West Coast.

Martin also spent time as an assistant coach at Purdue. The Illinois native’s experience certainly isn’t limited to the sideline. Martin played four seasons at Purdue, collecting multiple records. He is still the highest career 3-point shooter and holds a record for most consecutive games played with 137 straight.

The task ahead of Cuonzo Martin

Now, with years of experience behind him, Cuonzo Martin will likely return to where he got his start as a head coach on the collegiate level. He has his work cut out for him. Missouri State finished with a 17-16 record this season and 8-12 mark in conference play.

Martin will replace head coach Dana Ford, who was at the helm of the program for six seasons. Martin had several shining moments as Missouri State’s head coach, but in recent years has struggled to replicate that success. On March 11, the program fired the longtime head coach.

Missouri State never reached the Big Dance under Ford. In fact, the program has not made the NCAA tourney since 1999, when it reached the Sweet 16 as a No. 12 seed.