Chances are if you follow Tennessee athletics, you’ve heard the name Cuonzo Martin for several different reasons.
Whether those reasons are positive or negative, there is always a story attached to his name in the Knoxville area. When he first arrived on campus in 2011, not many knew what to expect.
In the immediate aftermath of the debacle that was the end of the Bruce Pearl era, basketball on Rocky Top seemed destined for darker days.
Having coached for three seasons at Missouri State, Martin was now tasked with keeping the Vols from plunging into the abyss they freely dangled over.
During his tenure, Tennessee amassed an overall record of 63-41 with two appearances in the NIT and a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2014. It’s not the successes on the court that stand above the rest, however; it’s the learning experience Martin gained that leaves him so grateful.
“You grow as a coach and you learn a lot of valuable lessons,” Martin said. “When you spend three years of your life somewhere, you build good relationships.”
If the East St. Louis, Illinois native was expecting a warm reception, he would’ve been in for a pleasant surprise.
Dressed in a two-tone plaid sports jacket, Martin strolled into Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday sporting a Missouri-gold tie and an ease about himself.
On the jumbotron was a large display with his image and the words “Thank you Cuonzo. Welcome back to Rocky Top.”
Cheers, while brief, erupted across the crowd. A small portion of the crowd boo’d. Earlier in the week, Martin had already earned current Tennessee coach Rick Barnes’ endorsement.
“I’m not so sure he was treated here the way he really should’ve been. I can tell you, there’s not a finer person and a finer man,” Barnes said. “I know one thing: If my son ever wanted to play for him as a player, I’d want him to play for him. He’s that kind of person.”
Before Tuesday’s matchup, Martin had not been on campus since April of 2014, shortly after he led Tennessee to its first Sweet Sixteen appearance in four years.
After spending three seasons at the helm of the California Golden Bears, he found his way back into the SEC, agreeing to terms with Missouri to be the program’s next head coach.
It appears his roots haven’t abandoned him, either.
A leader both by example and by voice, Martin was at his very best, despite his team being overmatched.
“That’s your man!” and “Get on him!” were among the many lines echoed by Martin on the sideline. Of course, the famous “Hands!” was shouted out numerous times as well.
On both occasions this season, the Tigers found themselves either ahead or within two possessions of the nation’s top-ranked team that has now won a program-record 17 consecutive games.
Spending time in both the NBA and CBA, Martin was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, effectively ending his playing career.
Following an enduring round of treatments and chemotherapy, his cancer went into remission, and he returned to Purdue where he earned a bachelor’s degree in restaurant, hotel, institutional and tourism management.
It wasn’t until he arrived at Tennessee in 2011 did his coaching career truly take off, and it was the feeling of walking into a place he once called home did the memories start to return.
“It actually felt pretty good, it did,” Martin said. “It’s been almost five years … It was good emotions for me.”
One of the more stoic presences in college basketball, Martin has maintained that same demeanor that helped him keep a program afloat that was in a state of uncertainty.
The same attitude that garners his players’ respect on a daily basis is the same attitude that earned him a tribute from his former school. It’s the same reason that he and Tennessee remain so fond of each other. Sometimes being apart is in the best interest of both parties.
“You never let any of those relationships go,” Martin said. “It was just about me doing what was best for me.”
