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Report: Pac-12 rival coach expected to join Oregon coaching staff

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery12/22/21

Former Colorado defensive backs coach Demetric Martin is expected to join the Oregon Ducks coaching staff, according to Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports. The Southern California native has coached at Colorado, Washington, UCLA, USC, and Arizona.

Martin’s son, Cole Martin, is a four-star defensive back in the Class of 2023 rankings, according to On3. It’ll be interesting to see if he follows his dad to Eugene.

A few analysts from 247sports have put in crystal ball predictions for Cole Martin to Oregon.

Demetrice Martin spent the past two seasons coaching the defensive backs at Colorado. He’ll be performing the same duties for the Oregon Ducks under their newly anointed head coach, Dan Lanning.

In addition to having a wealth of experience in developing defensive backs, Martin is highly regarded as one of the top recruiters in the country on the West Coast.

He’s currently 48 years old. While at Colorado, he earned $300,000 this year in his second year of a two-year contract with the Buffs, according to James Crepea of The Oregonian.

The defensive coaching staff for the Ducks will now include Martin, Lanning, co-defensive coordinator Matt Powledge, and defensive line coach Tony Tuioti.

As a player, Martin played at Michigan State, where he became a first team All-Big Ten defensive back in 1994. He led the conference in interceptions that season with seven. For his career, he snagged 10 total interceptions and played in two bowl games (1993 Liberty Bowl, 1995 Independence Bowl).

He played professionally for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe (1997). Martin also played for the Houston Thunderbears of the AFL (1998-1999).

He also spent from 1999-2000 coaching at Monrovia High School as their defensive coordinator/secondary coach.

One key piece that he’ll return is one of the best defensive backs in all of college football for the 2022-2023 season; unanimous All-American Verone McKinley III.

In 2021, McKinley III racked up 71 tackles, six interceptions (led the country), and one forced fumble. It’s crystal clear that his NFL future is incredibly bright once he gets there.

Martin will also get to coach incoming Ducks’ four-star defensive back, Jalil Tucker. Tucker is out of Lincoln (San Diego, California) and is currently rated as the Ducks’ highest rated prospect in their 2022 recruiting class. He ranks as the 56th overall prospect in America in that recruiting cycle, according to the On3 rankings.