Oregon cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin leaving Ducks to join Michigan State staff
Oregon is losing one of its top assistant coaches to a Big Ten rival.
Ducks’ cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin, who has been on Dan Lanning’s staff since he arrived in Eugene, has left Oregon to accept the same position at Michigan State.
Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports first reported Martin’s departure.
A Michigan State grad who played for the Spartans from 1992-1995, will return to his alma mater to join Jonathan Smith’s staff.
In two seasons with the Ducks, Martin, who also served as pass-game coordinator, helped drastically elevate the program’s performance in the secondary.
Oregon ranked 10th nationally in scoring defense in 2023 and 22nd in total defense. Both marks were drastically improved from the 2022 and 2021 seasons. In 2021, prior to Martin’s arrival, the Ducks ranked 60th in scoring defense and 72nd in total defense.
Former Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who also worked with Martin during their time together at Colorado, was selected 17th overall by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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This season, Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson garnered first-team all-conference honors.
Prior to his time at UO, Martin spent time as an on-field assistant at Washington (2009-2011), UCLA (2012-2017), Arizona (2018-2019), and Colorado (2021-21).
Martin signed a two-year contract with UO in 2021 that paid him $375,000 annually. If he leaves UO anytime before Feb. 28, 2024, he owes 25% of his yearly salary back to the university.
Martin is Oregon’s first on-field assistant to depart Lanning’s staff this offseason.
Earlier this month, Martin’s son, former Oregon defensive back Cole Martin, entered the transfer portal and has since committed to Arizona State.
