EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to the recent departure of Cuonzo Martin for California, the events represented here are now incorrect. We apologize for this error.
As first reported by GoVols247’s Wes Rucker, after days of being in serious talks with the Marquette Golden Eagles of the Atlantic 10 conference Martin has decided to “remove his name from contention.”
By Monday, numerous outlets were reporting on the “significant interest” in Martin
Tennessee fans were hit with a one-two punch last week: a heartbreaking loss to Michigan in the Sweet 16 was immediately followed by rumors of the mutual interest between Marquette and Martin. Initially the negotiations seemed to be going well…too well. Martin was silent. The UT AD was silent. Marquette was silent. Silence is usually the biggest indicator that a coach is taking a job elsewhere, and Cuonzo had Rocky Top sweating bullets while more and more reports seemed to suggest it was a “done deal.”
Final word on the decision was expected between Monday and Wednesday. Much to the surprise of Tennessee faithful, the rumors that began trickling down on Tuesday night suggested that Martin would not be accepting the MU offer (despite a 50% bump in salary). Martin told GoVols247 he was “honored” to be the coach at the University of Tennessee and is excited to move forward.
Media outlets on Tuesday night broke the news that Cuonzo turned Marquette down.
Don’t exhale too contently yet. Other programs across the country have their eye on Coach Martin. As a coach, this can only be evidence that you’re doing something right. Wake Forest and South Florida were both purportedly interested, but since that time USF has made a hire, and Wake Forest just wouldn’t be a logical career move.
Some wanted Cuonzo fired in February. Some want him in Knoxville for the next twenty years. It’s merely a matter of who you ask. However, it’s certain that Martin deserves more than what he’s making. As first noted by the magazine publication It’s Basketball Time in Tennessee, “Martin is the 11th highest paid coach in the SEC, but his winning percentage is 3rd among active SEC coaches.”
It’s time to either ante up and give Martin his extension or to cut him loose. He’s a polarizing figure among UT fans, and it will be interesting to see how AD Dave Hart constructs Martin’s next contract.
Source: Tennessee Basketball
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