‘I’m at peace,’ Frank Martin says in first public comments since firing at USC
Former South Carolina men’s basketball coach Frank Martin said he is “at peace” after being fired by the university early in the week.
Speaking on “The Mac Attack” with Charlotte radio station WFNZ, Martin made his first public comments since South Carolina announced it was firing the coach on Monday afternoon. The USC administration made the change following an 18-13 (9-9 SEC) season and a snub from the NIT.
“I’m at peace with everything,” Martin said. “I gave the job everything I had. The job compensated me and my family in an incredible way … I’ve got no complaints. I live the dream every day. I’m lucky as heck. I learned a lot about the business. I learned a lot about life.
“I had a great time, and I don’t have a sour bone in my body. You’re only sour if you’re mistreated. Nobody mistreated me. We didn’t get to the NCAA tournament enough, but at the same time I’m not gonna let anyone disparage what I did there.”
Hired in 2012, Martin, 55, compiled a 171-147 (79-99 SEC) career record over 10 seasons with the Gamecocks. The win total is the third most in program history, and his tenure was highlighted by one NCAA tournament appearance and the program’s only Final Four in 2017.
“Our expectation is to compete for Southeastern Conference and national championships,” athletic director Ray Tanner said in the school’s official statement on the matter.
Known for his biting sarcasm at times, Martin poked fun at his situation on the radio, joking at the very start of his appearance: “Now that I’m not tied to any university, I can jump in that bracket challenge to come after you.”
Martin added later: “I’m no longer representing an institution, so I can speak like I’m in my backyard.”
Though Martin will be in the studio for CBS and Turner Sports for March Madness on Thursday and Friday, the 55-year-old reiterated that he hasn’t lost his desire to coach and doesn’t intend to shift to a career in the media.
“I’m just hopeful that I get another opportunity because this team this year just kind of tickled me in a way that they got me excited about what I do again,” Martin said. “The fight they had showed me that I better do what I’ve done my whole life and just fight.
“I’m not here to promote myself. I’m here to have a good time with you guys on the phone. But if anyone’s listening and they know somebody that they’re looking for a ball coach, I’m all in.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 8:06 AM.
