It appears that the only Missouri State coach to win a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season men’s basketball championship could be returning to the school.
According to one national college basketball reporter, Cuonzo Martin is working toward a deal with Missouri State to become head coach of the Bears, where he spent 2008-2011.
Missouri State assistant director of athletics/communications Rick Kindhart said late Monday afternoon that the school is “unable to substantiate any rumors related to the coaching search.”
The first to report on the platform X (formerly Twitter) was Pete Thamel, a senior writer for ESPN.
The Missouri State coaching job has been open since Dana Ford was fired on March 10 after six seasons.
Martin, 52, had a 61-41 record in three seasons at Missouri State, including 26-9 in 2010-11 when the Bears won the Valley championship with a 15-3 record. The Bears lost in the finals of the league tournament and went to the NIT that season.
Martin is a native of East St. Louis, Ill. and a standout player at Purdue from 1991-95. He left shortly after leading the Bears to the MVC title and NIT second-round loss at Miami to take over as head coach at Tennessee. He’s also been head coach at California and Missouri. Martin last coached in the 2021-22 season at Missouri, where he was fired after going 12-21.
Former Missouri State star forward Kyle Weems, the Valley Player of the Year in 2011, said in a message from Italy where he's in his 12th professional basketball season, that he's thrilled to hear the news.
“If it’s true I’m so excited for Coach and Mrs. Martin,” Weems said. “I’m also very excited for the university. A familiar face that knows what it takes to win.
“The way he relates to his players while pushing them to their maximum potential is unmatched. He truly cares for his players and will have them playing together as one. I'm so forever grateful for my three years playing under him and I'm super excited for the future of the program.”
With a 264-198 record in 14 seasons as head coach, Martin sat out the last two seasons and has been an inspirational speaker, hosted a podcast and watched his son Chase play at Purdue where he’s a bench player.
On “It All Counts,” Martin shares insights on leadership and personal development. His podcast aims to inspire and motivate individuals to excel in all aspects of life.
Martin had a 63-41 record in three seasons at Tennessee, 62-39 in three years at Cal and was 78-77 in five seasons at Missouri. He led Missouri to two NCAA Tournaments and Tennessee and Cal to one each.
Martin was originally introduced as Missouri State’s 16th men’s head basketball coach on March 26, 2008, replacing Barry Hinson.
MORE MISSOURI STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL FROM THE SPRINGFIELD DAILY CITIZEN
