New Kansas State Coach Frank Martin's Unethical History
Posted Apr 6th 2007 6:21PM by The Big Lead
Filed under: Big 12 Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Recruiting
A press conference has been called for Monday morning, where Kansas State will formally introduce Frank Martin as the school's new basketball coach. Much talked-about assistant Dalonte Hill, also known as Michael Beasley's best friend, is getting the title of 'Associate Head Coach.' If you look at the the press release linked above, K-State is already beginning to kiss Hill's butt; the 27-year-old is mentioned in the sub-head.
Just who is Frank Martin? Don't be fooled by the glowing press release. A little digging around the net turned up this gem: Martin got his start tearing up high school ball in Florida, winning State titles and getting ranked by USA Today. Except that he used unethical behavior to achieve success, stirring up one of the biggest scandals in Florida high school sports history.
Miami High was fined $2500 and forced to reimburse more than $5000 in expenses incurred during the FHSAA's investigation. Five players, including [Udonis] Haslem, were barred from ever playing for Miami High again. The school was required to return the 1998 state championship trophy. Head coach Frank Martin (lauded in the Herald article) was fired, along with the school's athletic director.
"This is one of the most, if not the most, blatant violations of FHSAA rules against recruiting that I have encountered in my seven years as commissioner of this association," said Ron Davis when he handed down the penalties in August 1998.
Sounds like a Bob Huggins kind of guy, doesn't he? Good luck, Kansas State. Enjoy Beasley next year, and then have fun watching him wave goodbye after one season for the NBA (where he'll probably take Hill with him, just as Tim Thomas took his 'cousin,' Jim Salmon, when he was drafted.) Then, you'll be left with a dirty coach like Frank Martin, who is going to have to bend the rules to get kids to school there. This will be a disaster.
http://ncaabasketball.aolsportsblog.com/2007/04/06/new-kansas-state-coach-frank-martins-unethical-history/
