Mike Martin Joins Michigan Basketball Coaching Staff

Staff Turnover Creates Opportunity

Michigan basketball has experienced a wave of coaching departures this offseason. Assistant Justin Joyner moved to Oregon State, while Drew Williamson and Mody Maor are following former head coach Dusty May to the NBA. New head coach Mike Boynton Jr. was promoted from an assistant role, leaving several key positions open on the staff.

The hiring pattern mirrors previous moves by Boynton, May, and even Juwan Howard, who all brought in coaches who were already leading programs elsewhere. This approach suggests a desire to bring proven leader‑coaches into Ann Arbor.

Martin’s Credentials

Michigan has filled one of the vacancies with former Brown head coach Mike Martin. Martin steps away from Providence, his alma mater, after 14 years leading the Brown program. He arrives in Ann Arbor with a résumé that includes 171 career victories, a record that makes him the winningest coach in Brown basketball history.

In February 2023 Martin eclipsed Stanley Ward’s 54‑year‑old school mark for coaching wins, steering the Bears through one of their most successful periods. He took over Brown in 2012 at age 29, becoming the fourth‑youngest head coach in Division I men’s basketball.

Ivy League Dominance

During his 14 seasons, Martin turned Brown into a perennial Ivy League powerhouse. The 2018‑19 squad posted a 20‑12 record—Brown’s first 20‑win season—and earned a College Basketball Invitational berth, marking the program’s first postseason victory. For that effort, Martin was named Ivy League Coach of the Year.

His teams consistently produced top talent. From 2022‑25 the Bears had four straight All‑Ivy first‑team selections, led by three‑time honoree Kino Lilly Jr. Martin’s players also captured five Defensive Player of the Year awards, one Rookie of the Year award, multiple Academic All‑America nods, and a host of all‑conference honors.

Assistant Experience and Recruiting Prowess

Before his Brown tenure, Martin spent six seasons (2006‑12) as an assistant at Penn. The Quakers won the 2007 Ivy League championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, then returned to postseason play in 2012 with a CBI berth. Martin was instrumental in recruiting 2012 Ivy League Player of the Year Zack Rosen and built a reputation as one of the conference’s elite recruiters and player developers.

His coaching journey began as a Brown assistant in 2005‑06, after which he followed head coach Glen Miller to Penn. This blend of player‑development insight and recruiting success aligns with Michigan’s needs as the program looks to maintain its status among the nation’s elite.

Playing Legacy and Hall of Fame Honor

Martin earned a Brown degree in 2004 and played four seasons as a starting guard and co‑captain. He helped the Bears post a 63‑45 overall record and a 39‑17 Ivy League mark, leading Brown to four straight winning seasons and an NIT appearance in 2003. His career totals include 143 three‑pointers (third all‑time), 113 steals (ninth), and 232 assists (tenth). After college he suited up for Dart Killester in Ireland before turning to coaching.

He serves on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional Advisory Committee and was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in the Perry category, recognizing his distinguished play and coaching career.

What It Means for Michigan

Coach Boynton’s praise highlighted Martin’s teaching ability, recruiting pedigree, and player‑investment philosophy. “Mike is someone I’ve admired for a long time… he’s one of the best recruiters in the game, but more than anything, he’s a great person who truly invests in his players,” Boynton said. Michigan’s new assistant brings a culture of development and a track record of elevating programs.

Martin’s own remarks underscore his excitement to join the “premier program in college basketball.” He cited Michigan’s “championship culture, the people and the commitment to excellence” as reasons the move felt right. Expect the Wolverines to benefit from his Ivy League‑tested strategies and his emphasis on both on‑court performance and academic success.