Jack Martin

Jack Martin (1922-2015)

Current position: Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, Lamar Cardinals
Hardin-Simmons record^: 41-35 (.539)
Lamar record^: 334-283 (.541)
Overall record^: 375-318 (.541)

Career Accomplishments:

  • NCAA National Championships:  0
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  0
  • NIT Championships:  0
  • NIT Appearances:  0
  • Southland Regular Season Champion:  2  (1964, 1970)
  • Lone Star (Div II) Regular Season Champion:  3  (1961, 1962, 1963)
  • NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances:  5  (1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966)

Awards:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1951-1976 Lamar
1948-1951 Hardin-Simmons

Jack Martin Facts

  • Jack Tracy Martin
  • Born August 15, 1922
  • Died October 1, 2015
  • Hometown: Burkett, Texas
  • Alma Mater: Hardin-Simmons University (BA, 1948)
  • Graduated from Burkett HS (TX) and attended John Tarleton Agricultural College where he was in the ROTC
    • Enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and flew B-29s in the Pacific Theater during World War II
  • After his discharge, he attended Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, TX; played basketball there for two seasons (1946-48)
    • He joined the US Army National Guard upon his return to the States, serving for nearly thirty years in Abilene, TX
  • Became the Cowboys’ head coach after graduation at the age of 26; led the Cowboys for three seasons
    • Went 41-35 overall; the Cowboys were part of the Border Conference at that time
  • Left for the Lamar job, taking over what was then a College Division (D-II) program in the Lone Star Conference in 1951
    • Coached the Cardinals for 25 seasons, a tenure that included the move from D-II to the Southland and eventually into D-I
    • Compiled an overall record of 334-283 at Lamar, winning three Lone Star titles and two Southland titles
      • In 1968-69, the Cardinals went 20-4 and achieved a #1 AP ranking (College Division) during the season
    • Reached the NCAA College Division Tournament five times in the years before Lamar moved up to the University Division
  • Following his retirement from coaching in 1976 (and active service a year early), Col. Martin was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General
    • Served various assignments including representing the US Dept. of Defense in foreign countries, Liaison for the Air Force Academy and Civil Service Disaster Relief Operations Coordinator in Southeast Texas
  • Passed away in 2015 at the age of 93 in Beaumont, Texas

Jack Martin Coaching Tree

 

^ overall record includes head coaching positions at both the NCAA University Division (D-I) and College Division (D-II) levels