Ben Martin joined the coaching staff at Colorado Mesa University in 2011 and took over as defensive coordinator in 2016.
He was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015.
During the 2017 season, his defense ranked in the third in the RMAC and featured one of the top defensive ends in Division II in All-American Blake Nelson.
In 2016, Martin's defense helped Colorado Mesa to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Mavericks finished fourth in the RMAC in tackles for loss and featured All-American defensive back Dustin Rivas.
Prior to arriving at CMU, Martin spent five years as an assistant coach at Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. As a member of the Eagles coaching staff he worked with the linebackers, assisted in the athletic department with game day management and was responsible for coordinating travel for Chadron State’s athletic teams. Martin was a teaching instructor in the department.
During his tenure at Chadron State the Eagles posted an impressive 44-15 overall record and two NCAA Division II Playoffs berths (2008, 2007). Chadron State won two back-to-back Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships in 2008 and 2007.
Coach Martin was a graduate assistant on the football staff at North Dakota State University in 2006 when the Bison went 10-1 and were ranked No. 3 in the final NCAA 1-AA poll.
Martin graduated from Cape Girardeau, Mo., High School in 2001 while his father was on the coaching staff at Southeast Missouri State University. At Southeast he graduated with honors in 2005 with a degree in elementary education. In 2008 he earned his Master’s Degree from Chadron State College.
He and his wife, Nicole, were married in May 2010 and have a daughter, Ava Marie that was born in October of 2017.
