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closeChris Martin credits two high school football coaches as being his major influences – his father James, who coaches in West Virginia, and recently retired Athens Drive coach Jeff Smouse.
Both mentors were hoping Martin would be given a shot to coach his own team one day. All parties were rewarded Thursday, as Athens Drive promoted Martin from defensive coordinator to head coach. Martin replaces Smouse, who resigned after last season as the program’s winningest coach.
Smouse, who Martin knew from a previous stop at Lumberton High, had encouraged Martin to apply for the position.
“(Smouse) kind of groomed me for this,” Martin said. “Being the son of a head coach and being around football pretty much every year of my life, (wanting to be a head coach) came pretty natural. I just really like Athens Drive and the people there, and I’m lucky they hired me for this position.”
Martin is in his fifth year at the school, where he teaches special education. He has served as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator for the last three years.
“He’s great in the classroom,” said Alvin Thompson, the school’s athletics director. “We think he’s a perfect fit for Athens Drive, and he knows the community.”
Although Martin has never been a head coach in his 14 years of experience, Thompson said Martin was outstanding in the interviews, presenting a detailed plan for what he wants the program to be.
In the months since Smouse left, Martin has been leading the team in the weight room.
Martin has been on staff through some of Athens Drive’s best seasons, including an 11-2 campaign in 2007 when the school notched its first conference championship, 10-win season and playoff victory.
“Coach Smouse was the architect of the program,” Martin said. “I just want to take the program for where it’s at and take it to new heights.”
Martin said he plans to continue running a spread offense, which is what Smouse used to turn around the program.
The school will host a “meet and greet” for Martin, which will be open to the public, at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the school auditorium.
