Calipari targeting Chuck Martin for vacant assistant coach position

Players aren’t the only people John Calipari has been recruiting this off-season. He has been on the search for some assistant coaches too. He first hired John Welch, a longtime NBA assistant, and father to former walk-on and grad assistant, Riley Welch, a few months ago. With one vacant spot remaining, Jeff Goodman reports the frontrunner for the position is Chuck Martin, with whom Cal has a history.

Not to be confused with the Miami of Ohio football coach with the same name, the basketball version of Chuck Martin served as an assistant for Calipari from 2006 to 2008 at the University of Memphis. He has had other assistant stops at Seton Hall, UMass, Drexel, St. John’s, South Carolina, and most recently last season under Dana Altman at Oregon.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Martin brings with him some head coaching experience as well. He coached Marist from 2008-2012 but moved on after a 41-118 record.

Rumors floated that Calipari may have been waiting for the conclusion of the NBA Finals with eyes set on someone from the Miami Heat, but after several weeks with no movement, that ship has likely sailed (if it was ever docked at all).

John Welch is expected to be the X and O coach that has been missing the last few seasons, bringing an NBA flare to the offense and some much-needed dedication to the film room. If hired, Martin would fill the need for another recruiter, as KT Turner jettisoned for UT Arlington shortly after Kentucky’s season ended.

It is late June and Kentucky plays basketball in just a few short weeks. If Martin comes aboard, he will have some catching up to do.

Chuck Martin Coaching Résumé

1999–2000	Seton Hall(assistant)
2000–2001	Umass (assistant)
2001–2004	Drexel (assistant)
2004–2006	St. John’s (assistant)
2006–2008	Memphis (assistant)
2008–2012	Marist (head coach)
2017–2022	South Carolina (assistant)
2022–present	Oregon (assistant)