Missouri Western State University will conduct a national search for its next
head men’s basketball coach after Will Martin submitted his resignation Wednesday, athletic
director Andy Carter announced.
“Will is a class-act who has led our program with love, passion and integrity,” Carter said.
“I appreciate his dedication to our student-athletes and our university. We thank him for his
efforts of elevating our program back to respectability.”
Martin spent seven total seasons on the Griffon sidelines, including the last five as head coach.
He compiled a 77-70 overall record and a 51-56 mark in MIAA conference play.
Joining the staff in 2018 as an assistant under Sundance Wicks, Martin was elevated to first-
time head coach in the Spring of 2020. He led the Griffons to an NCAA Tournament berth during
the Covid-shortened season of 2020-21, MWSU’s 18-13 record in 2024-25 was the program’s
highest regular-season win total in 22 years.
The Martin era brought success in the classroom as well, as Griffon Basketball’s 3.248 team GPA
in 2023-24 was the highest in program history.
“I am extremely grateful for my time at Missouri Western,” Martin said.
“I will forever be humbled by the opportunity to be a Head Coach for this entire community, and appreciative to everyone who made it possible. I am proud of the success we were able to have on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. Most importantly, I will forever cherish the wonderful relationships cultivated in my time here. Thank you to my staff and all the student-athletes I was blessed to coach. Your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication undoubtedly served to leave the program better than we found it. Griffon Nation will always hold a special place in my heart!”The search for Martin’s replacement begins immediately.
“Our focus now is forward,” Carter said.
“We need to take the next step for the program to build a consistent contender in MIAA play, which automatically translates as a contender on the
national stage. We will be diligent in our search as we target a high-character individual who
can elevate our program to the next level.”
The university will retain the services of Atlanta-based search firm, Collegiate Consulting, to aid
in its search for the fifth head men’s basketball coach of MWSU’s NCAA Division II era (1988-
current).
https://gogriffons.com/news/2025/3/11/mens-basketball-will-martin-announces-resignation.aspx
