K-State replaces Huggins with Martin

Apr 6, 2007, 22:10 GMT

Manhattan, KS - Kansas State named Frank Martin its new men's basketball coach on Friday, one day after Bob Huggins announced his resignation to take the job at West Virginia.

A veteran coach with over 22 years of experience, Martin was promoted from his assistant's job to take over a team that went 23-12, the most wins at the school since the 1987-88 season.

'I'm elated,' Martin said. 'I've worked 22 years with the dream of one day earning this type of opportunity and I'm indebted to this university for believing in me. Kansas State is a special place and we are proud of what we started here. It's been proven in a short period of time that Kansas State can be very successful in men's basketball and we fully intend to continue moving in that direction.'

The Wildcats did not receive an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. However, the school did make it to the postseason to break an eight-year drought as the Wildcats were invited to the NIT, where they lost in the second round to DePaul.

Martin joined the Kansas State staff on April 5, 2006, after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Cincinnati, first for Huggins, and then for Andy Kennedy. Before coming to Cincinnati, Martin spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Northeastern (2000-04). Before entering the college ranks in 2000, Martin spent 15 years in the high school level in Miami, Florida.

'We feel Frank was an integral part of the growth and success of Kansas State basketball this past season and deserves the opportunity to lead this program and continue to build on the foundation that has been established,' athletics director Tim Weiser said. 'One of the important factors in our decision to promote Frank was a desire to maintain the continuity of the current program and provide a stable environment for our student-athletes. Frank was a valuable member of a team that achieved some remarkable milestones this past year and we believe he will continue to move this program forward.'

© 2007 The Sports Network