Andy Katz has his latest analysis on the NCAA coaching scene and the changes that have affected so many schools. Locally a number of coaches have changed schools, but nothing has been as surprising as Frank Martin’s exit from Kansas State. It’s a move that Katz says is a major boon for South Carolina in particular. He writes:
Horn wasn’t able to work his Sweet 16 magic from Western Kentucky at South Carolina. The Gamecocks slipped significantly in 2011-12, going 2-14 in the SEC, 10-21 overall. South Carolina needed to make a major splash. And it did. Martin is a coaching star. He gets his players to sacrifice and play with as much intensity as he delivers on the sideline. Martin can recruit the East Coast to South Carolina. He did it at a tougher spot in Kansas State.
He was a questionable hire when he took over for Bob Huggins and quickly made everyone look foolish for wondering about the move. He received a significant pay raise and more security with the Gamecocks. But South Carolina was also the big winner with this transaction.
Martin was replaced by Bruce Weber, a name coach with some great NCAA Tournament experience with a title game appearance in his time with Illinois. But recently, he has fallen off and was ultimately fired just earlier this offseason. Whether Weber will enjoy a change of scenery remains to be seen, but for now the biggest winner is the team that needed something the most.
For more on Bruce Weber and the Wildcats, be sure to visit Bring On The Cats and SB Nation's college basketball page.