Frank Martin To USC Rumors Fly

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The internet was abuzz Friday night with reports that USC Athletics Director Eric Hyman would soon announce Kansas State’s Frank Martin as the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach at South Carolina. Martin denied the report via twitter saying he was watching Jersey Boys with his family and hadn’t talked to anyone. Hyman was headed to Fresno, CA to watch the USC women’s basketball team play Stanford late Saturday night in the Sweet 16. Martin has led Kansas State to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments and four Big Dance appearances in his five seasons in charge in Manhattan, KS. He has a 117-54 record at Kansas St., his only college head coaching job. After finishing tied for third in the Big 12 this season, Martin, qualified for a renegotiation clause in his contract. He makes $1.55 million per season and has a $1 million buyout. Martin is reportedly at odds with Kansas State Athletics Director John Currie. Currie recently suspended Wildcat senior Jamar Samuels for Kansas State’s 2nd round game when he learned Samuels was reportedly wired $200 by his AAU coach. Martin, a Miami native, has a similar background as former Gamecock basketball coach Eddie Fogler. Both men taught math before getting into big-time college coaching. Fogler helped Hyman in his search for a coach the last time around when Hyman hired Darrin Horn to replace Dave Odom at USC.