COLUMBIA, S.C. — Prepare for “The Stare” at South Carolina games next season.
The Gamecocks hired fiery Frank Martin from Kansas State to re-energize a program that had dropped to the bottom of the SEC.
Martin spoke for nearly an hour in front of several hundred fans, media and South Carolina administrators. Afterward, he was asked to demonstrate his harsh stare, which was a featured attraction at Wildcats games the past five years.
“It’s something that happens when it’s time to compete,” Martin said, laughing.
Martin says the time for the Gamecocks to compete is now.
He told the players Tuesday morning that they weren’t far off from SEC success, despite going 10-21 and 2-14 in the league this season.
“I’ve got to figure out a way, and that’s my job, to get them the confidence that they need to win that next game,” Martin said.
Not that it will be easy.
The Gamecocks lose their leading scorer in senior Malik Cooke. Their No. 2 scorer, point guard Bruce Ellington, was back at football practice Tuesday after announcing two weeks ago that he would only play basketball next season.
Martin will have two scholarships to use for next year’s team and possibly three if Ellington sticks to playing twosports and he is on a football scholarship. The new coach says he’s already begun tapping recruiting contacts.
“We’re on it already,” he said.
Martin doesn’t have to rush. He got a six-year deal worth $12.3 million. He’ll make $1.9 million this fall, a step up from his salary of about $1.4 million with the Wildcats.
South Carolina also agreed to pay Martin’s $1 million buyout at Kansas State.
South Carolina Athletic Director Eric Hyman spoke with former coaches, players, the NCAA and administrators in the search for a new coach to replace Darrin Horn.
“Quite frankly, we feel like we’ve got the right person,” he said.
Martin, 46, called it a whirlwind courtship with South Carolina that really took off this weekend while the coach was in New York helping CBS Sports with its coverage of the NCAA Tournament. Martin joked that he had basketball studio analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Greg Anthony urging him to take the job before he left.
“That’s how much respect people have for South Carolina basketball,” Martin said.
Martin was 117-54 in five years with the Wildcats. Theyreached the NCAA regional finals in 2010 and lost to Syracuse in the third round this season.
Kansas Coach Bill Self, Martin’s Big 12 Conference rival, said the coach would be missed.
“Our league will miss him. I’m sure people in Manhattan [Kan.] will, too,” Self said. “He was nothing but good things for our basketball league.”
Martin knew about South Carolina’s program from following former Gamecocks star Devan Downey, who spent his freshman year at Cincinnati when Martin was assistant to then-Bearcats Coach Huggins. Martin remembered watching highlights of Downey and his teammates celebrating their stunning 68-62 victory over then No. 1 Kentucky in 2010.
Things slumped for South Carolina under Horn since that high point. The Gamecocks lost 24 of their last 27 SEC games. Horn finished his career at South Carolina 23-45 in league games and 60-63 overall with three losing seasons in a row. Attendance fell drastically this season with opponents like Ohio State and Kentucky outdrawing the Gamecocks in games played here this winter.
Sports, Pages 25 on 03/28/2012