Frank Martin Introduced as New USC Basketball Coach

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — USC has a new Head Basketball Coach. Erich Hyman, USC Athletics Director, introduced Kansas State’s Frank Martin as its new basketball coach at a press conference at 10:45amTuesday at the Colonial Life Arena. Martin’s intense stare has earned him a national reputation in college basketball after just five years as a head coach. He has taken Kansas State to four NCAA tournaments in those five seasons, including the last three in a row. Kansas State will also have a press conference at 11 a.m. tomorrow to address losing Martin. Martin is reportedly leaving the Wildcats because of issues with the administration. On his weekly radio show Monday evening, USC Athletics Director Eric Hyman said Tuesday would be a day of celebration for Gamecock fans. Hyman said “the candidate” that will be introduced mentioned to him during the hiring process that USC must be doing something right to have head coaches like Steve Spurrier, Ray Tanner and Dawn Staley. The USC Board of Trustees is expected to finalize a reported 6-year, $12 million deal for Martin in a conference call tomorrow at 10 a.m. Martin was making $1.55 million per season at Kansas State. College basketball experts see the move from Kansas St. to South Carolina as a step down. Martin took the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2010. The Gamecocks last NCAA Tournament win came in 1973.