| After guiding the Black
Hills State University football team through four
gridiron seasons in the SDIC, head coach Russ Martin is
moving on to Southeast Missouri State University at Cape
Girardeau as the Indian's offensive coordinator. Martin
will direct the offensive attack for Coach Tim Billings
who begins his first season as head coach at the Ohio
Valley Conference Division I AA school. The Indians, who
were 3-8 last season under John Mumford, open the 2000
season against Marshall University, winner of the 1999
Motor City Bowl and a 13-0 record.
BH athletic director Dave Little, said, “We have
to be excited for him professionally, but disappointed to
lose him from our program both as a person and as a
coach.”
Martin, 44, came to Black Hills State from Bethany
College where he served as associate head coach and
offensive coordinator for five years. The football team
won Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference titles in 1991,
1993, 1994 and 1995 with Martin directing the offense.
He also coached the BC women's softball team, winning
the 1993 NAIA District 10 softball championship. He was
named District 10 coach of the year.
At Black Hills State the Yellow Jackets were 12-27
overall and 8-14 in the South Dakota Athletic Conference
under Martin. The Jackets were 4-6 in their final SDIC
season. This fall BHSU joins the Dakota Athletic
Conference (DAC-10), a ten-team league consisting of
schools from both North and South Dakota.
Back to Campus
Curents
|
 “I
wasn't seeking the job when I learned of the
opening,” said Martin.
“Actually, one of my former players is coaching
there. Looking long term, this is an opportunity for me.
I aspire to be a Division I head
coach at some point in the future.”
Martin felt the program at BHSU has made big strides
over the past couple of years, particularly in the size,
strength and the athleticism of the players.
“It's in good shape and moving in the right
direction,” he said. “We've had two good
recruiting years and lose just four starters off the
offensive unit and four players off the defensive unit.
Also, the support of the Green and Gold Club and their
efforts in raising scholarship awards will help.”
The BH coach says he and his family have mixed
emotions about leaving the players and the friends they
have in the community. But with spring practice around
the corner, he must leave soon.
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