Report: Former South Carolina head coach emerges as favorite for Division I job

Former South Carolina Gamecocks men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin is now the front runner for the head coach opening at UMass. According to ESPN college football analyst Pete Thamel, the two sides have met already to gauge one another’s interest in working together.

“ Source: Former South Carolina coach Frank Martin has emerged as the target of the UMass basketball search. Martin met with UMass officials Tuesday and the sides are expected to meet again in person on Thursday,” wrote Thamel via Twitter.

Martin has spent his last 11 years at the head of the South Carolina men’s basketball program. His best year as the Gamecocks headman came in 2017 when he let them to a final four appearance and was named the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year.

 St. Bonaventure coach Mark Schmidt was rumored to be negotiating with UMass, but the two sides where unable to come to an agreement. That would have been a big move if the Minutemen pulled it off because they’re both in the A-10. Those rumors proved to have some validity to them because shortly after Thamel’s report came this from Umass reporter Matt Vautour. ” Mark Schmidt has pulled out of UMass search, wrote Vautour.

South Carolina and Martin part ways

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported that the South Carolina Gamecocks have parted ways with head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin.

South Carolina finished this season 18-13 overall and 9-9 against SEC opponents. The Gamecocks dropped their first game in the SEC Tournament, losing 73-51 to Mississippi State on Thursday.

Martin first came to South Carolina in the 2012-2013 season. He has amassed a 288-201 record as a head coach. With the Gamecocks, he had a 171-147 career record, making one NCAA Tournament appearance. That NCAA Tournament appearance was a pretty memorable one, as the Gamecocks made it all the way to the Final Four. Martin was named the Coach of the Year by Collegeinsider.com that season. South Carolina also made the NIT in the 2015-2016 season under Martin.

Prior to joining the Gamecocks, Martin served as the Kansas State head coach from 2007-2012. He led the Wildcats to a 117-54 record, making four NCAA Tournament appearances. Interestingly, the Kansas State job is now open, as Bruce Weber has resigned from his position.