Missouri State University made the signing of Cuonzo Martin as head basketball coach of the Bears official on Wednesday morning, marking the former Mizzou head coach’s return to the sidelines in Division 1 college basketball.
Martin began his coaching journey in Springfield with Missouri State with the Bears from 2008 to 2011. Following his time with Missouri State, Martin coached at the University of Tennessee and University of California, before a six-year stint at the University of Missouri that ended after the 2021-2022 season. In 14 seasons as a head coach, Martin’s teams are a combined 264-198, with nine postseason appearances, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament, and a CIT championship with Missouri State in 2010.
As a player at Purdue University under legendary coach Gene Keady, Martin starred with the Boilermakers from 1991 to 1995 before the East St. Louis, Illinois native played four years of professional basketball. Cuonzo Martin and his wife, Roberta, have two sons, Joshua and Chase, and a daughter, Addison. Chase is a senior on the Purdue men’s basketball team. A news conference to re-introduce Martin to the Springfield community is scheduled for 1 o’clock on Monday afternoon, April 1st.
