Martin Named Coach

Chuck Martin, the defensive coordinator for Grand Valley State's 2003 NCAA Division II National Championship team, has been named Grand Valley's new head football coach. Martin replaces Brian Kelly, who was introduced January 1 as head football coach at Central Michigan University.

Martin is the sixth head football coach in the history of Grand Valley's program. Click Here to view the press conference in streaming video.

'Chuck has done an outstanding job in his four years at Grand Valley State and we are excited to have him lead our football program. While we had several outstanding candidates that were qualified to lead our program, Chuck Martin rose to the top of the list over the last four years. I saw no reason to go outside our coaching staff when we had such capable coaches internally. Chuck is an outstanding recruiter and a proven leader in a championship football program,' said GVSU Athletics Director Tim Selgo.

Martin has been a key figure in the progression of the GVSU defense the past four years. His defensive backfield has earned 10 All-GLIAC honors in four years.

'It is a tremendous honor to be named head coach at Grand Valley State University,' said Martin. 'The Grand Valley State football program has a great tradition of excellence both on the field and in the classroom, and I am excited about the opportunity to continue the development of our extraordinary student-athletes. Our program is on solid ground with a talented group of dedicated student-athletes returning.'

The 35-year-old Martin began his coaching career at Mankato State in 1992 while finishing his master's degree. After a one-year stint with the Mavericks, Martin moved on to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. At Wittenberg, Martin coached the linebackers in football and served as the head golf coach and assistant baseball coach for two years. He moved on to become the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at his alma mater, Millikin University, for two years before taking over the linebackers at Eastern Michigan in 1998. Martin coached the linebackers at EMU for two years prior to his arrival at GVSU.

Martin is a native of Park Forest, Illinois, and graduated from Rich East High School in 1986. He was a standout athlete at Millikin University, earning All-American honors as a free safety and GTE Academic All-American plaudits. Martin graduated from Millikin in 1990 with a degree in accounting.

Martin and his wife, Dulcie, have a three-year-old son, Max.