Russ Martin has been named the new head football coach at Colorado Mesa University. Martin becomes the 18th head coach in Maverick history. Martin's appointment will begin immediately.
“We are tremendously excited and pleased that Coach Martin is a Maverick” said Athletic Director Butch Miller. “His accomplishments are numerous and more importantly his character and leadership will be advantageous for our student-athletes, the University and the community”, added Miller.
Martin brings over 26 years of coaching experience and most recently was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at University of Nebraska-Kearney for eight years. The Lopers have won four RMAC Conference Championship titles and ranked nationally in the Division II polls. Under his guidance the Lopers were nationally ranked in the Top 20 in numerous offensive categories including Total Offense, Scoring Offense, Rushing Offense and Passing Efficiency Offense.
Martin began his collegiate coaching career at Baylor University in 1985 and 1986 coaching the defensive ends, developing scouting reports and coordinating on-campus visits.
Martin was named Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Kansas Wesleyan University where he spent three seasons. Prior to his arrival at Kansas Wesleyan he was the linebacker coach from 1986-1988 at Kearney State College.
From 1991-1995 he was Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Bethany College. He was named 1995 Offensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Quarterly-NAIA and ranked nationally in several offensive categories.
Martin was named Head Football Coach at Black Hills State University in 1996 and spent four seasons leading the Yellow Jackets to several Top 10 NAIA offensive rankings.
At Southeast Missouri State University he spent four seasons (2000-2004) as the offensive coordinator leading the offense to 26 school records and a nationally ranking in 2002.
Martin spent his longest tenure at University of Nebraska Kearney where for eight seasons he annually had the Lopers among the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive leaders and NCAA Division II leaders.
Martin graduated from Chadron State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Minor in Business Administration and Coaching Endorsement. He earned his Master of Science degree in Secondary Education.
CMU will hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to introduce Head Coach Russ Martin. Time and location will be released on Monday.
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