Missouri Western’s Will Martin announces resignation as head men’s basketball coach
Missouri Western State University is set to begin a national search for its next head men’s basketball coach following Will Martin’s resignation, the university announced Wednesday.
“Will is a class act who has led our program with love, passion, and integrity,” athletic director Andy Carter said. “I appreciate his dedication to our student-athletes and our university. We thank him for his efforts in elevating our program back to respectability.”
Martin, who spent seven seasons with the Griffons, served as head coach for the last five years. He compiled a 77-70 overall record and went 51-56 in MIAA conference play. Originally joining Missouri Western as an assistant in 2018 under Sundance Wicks, he took over as head coach in the spring of 2020.
In his first season leading the program, he guided the Griffons to an NCAA Tournament appearance during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign. This past season, Missouri Western finished 18-13, marking the program’s highest regular-season win total in 22 years.
“I am extremely grateful for my time at Missouri Western,” Martin said. “I will forever be humbled by the opportunity to be a head coach for this entire community and appreciative of everyone who made it possible. I am proud of the success we were able to have on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. Most importantly, I will forever cherish the wonderful relationships cultivated in my time here.”
With Martin’s departure, Missouri Western is shifting its focus to finding the next leader of the program.
“Our focus now is forward,” Carter said. “We need to take the next step for the program to build a consistent contender in MIAA play, which automatically translates as a contender on the national stage. We will be diligent in our search as we target a high-character individual who can elevate our program to the next level.”
To aid in the hiring process, the university has enlisted the services of Atlanta-based search firm Collegiate Consulting. The next hire will become the fifth head coach of Missouri Western’s NCAA Division II era, which began in 1988.
