Jonathan Smith Names Former Spartan Demetrice Martin Cornerbacks Coach
1/17/2024 2:28:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head football coach Jonathan Smith has named former Spartan Demetrice Martin the program's cornerbacks coach.
Martin, a four-year letterwinner at MSU from 1992-95, has been a collegiate coach for more than 20 years, most recently as the cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Oregon the past two seasons. He has also coached at USC (2006-07), Washington (2009-11), UCLA (2012-17), Arizona (2018-19) and Colorado (2020-21). Martin has worked with 18 All-Pac-12 defensive backs and has been on coaching staffs for 12 bowl games.
"Demetrice Martin brings a tremendous amount of experience to our staff," said Smith. "He has developed players at the highest level, both on and off the field, throughout his entire career. As a former player here, I know he's excited about coming back to East Lansing and being a part of this program once again."
With the addition of Martin, Smith has now hired all 10 of his on-field assistant coaches: Blue Adams (secondary), Keith Bhonapha (assistant head coach/running backs/co-special teams coordinator), Courtney Hawkins (wide receivers), Brian Lindgren (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jim Michalczik (offensive line/run game coordinator), Joe Rossi (Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator/linebackers), Legi Suiaunoa (defensive line), Chad Wilt (co-special teams coordinator/rush ends coach) and Brian Wozniak (tight ends/recruiting coordinator).
During his two seasons at Oregon, Martin helped develop one of the best secondaries in the Pac-12, as the Ducks led the conference in passing efficiency defense (117.6 rating) and passing defense (215.9 ypg) in 2023 en route to a 12-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl win over Liberty. Martin coached first-team All-Pac-12 honoree Khyree Jackson, who earned an invite to the Senior Bowl, along with Evan Williams, who garnered second-team all-conference honors. Oregon ranked third in the Pac-12 with 12 interceptions, led by three from Jackson.
In his first season in Eugene, Martin coached first-team All-Pac-12 cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who led the team with four interceptions and seven pass break-ups and was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (No. 17 overall) by the New England Patriots. The Ducks ranked second in the Pac-12 and 10th in the FBS with 16 interceptions overall.
Prior to his arrival at Oregon, Martin worked at five different Pac-12 schools throughout his coaching career. He spent two seasons (2020-21) with the cornerbacks at Colorado, where he also coached Gonzalez before he transferred to Oregon. Martin also coached cornerbacks for two years (2018-19) at Arizona.
A native of Pasadena, California, Martin spent six seasons (2012-17) as the defensive backs coach at UCLA, including the last four as an assistant head coach. He helped the Bruins to a 47-31 record and five bowl appearances. In addition, UCLA posted six consecutive top-20 recruiting classes after the 2011 class ranked 45th in the nation.
Martin coached a total of 11 all-league defensive backs at UCLA. In 2016, the Bruin secondary ranked seventh in the nation in pass defense efficiency (105.8) and 22nd in the nation in interceptions (15). Those marks ranked second and third in the Pac-12. UCLA gave up just 12 touchdown passes on the year, the lowest total by a Pac-12 school. Cornerback Fabian Moreau, an honorable mention All-Pac-12 choice, was selected in the third round (No. 81 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft by Washington and just finished his seventh year in the NFL.
In 2015, the Bruin secondary led the Pac-12 in pass defense (203.2 ypg) and pass defense efficiency (111.5). The year prior, four of Martin's defensive backs were honored with All-Pac-12 selections, including first-team honorees Ishmael Adams (cornerback) and Anthony Jefferson (safety). The unit ranked third in the Pac-12 in pass defense and helped propel the Bruins to a 10-3 record, a No. 10 final ranking and a victory over Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl.
The 2013 season saw Martin prepare a secondary which featured three new starters, but the Bruins still won 10 games and finished No. 16 in the final AP Poll. Adams led the team with four interceptions while Jefferson ranked third on the team in tackles (89) in his initial season as a starter.
Martin's first full-time Pac-12 coaching position was at Washington for three seasons (2009-11) as the program's defensive backs coach, where he helped the Huskies to consecutive bowl appearances (2010 Holiday, 2011 Alamo). He also helped rebuild the UW program with back-to-back Top 25 recruiting classes. The Huskies ranked second in the Pac-12 in pass defense in 2010 and held Nebraska to just 98 passing yards in the 2011 Alamo Bowl victory in San Antonio.
Martin spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons as a graduate assistant coach in the secondary under Pete Carroll at USC, where the Trojans went 22-4 and won back-to-back Rose Bowls over Michigan and Illinois.
Following his time at USC, Martin returned to Mt. San Antonio College for a second time in 2008 as the pass defensive coordinator and secondary coach. He was first at Mt. San Antonio College in the same role from 2003-05, as the Mounties went 23-9 and played in the 2003 and 2004 National Bowls.
Martin's first collegiate coaching position was at Pasadena City Junior College, where he mentored the secondary for two seasons (2001-02). The Lancers went 18-4, won the Mission Conference twice, and played in two bowl games with Martin as the secondary coach.
Martin played collegiately at Michigan State, lettering three years under George Perles (1992-94) and once under Nick Saban (1995). After catching eight passes for 83 yards as a redshirt freshman wide receiver in 1992, Martin switched to the defensive backfield, where he excelled his final three seasons with 124 tackles, 10 interceptions and 12 pass break-ups. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1994 when he led the conference with seven interceptions, which is tied for the fifth most in an MSU single season.
Martin played professionally as a cornerback for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe (1997) and for the Houston Thunderbears (1998-99) in the Arena Football League. He signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams and spent time on the practice squad. Martin earned his bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior (N.Y.) College in 2006.
Martin was born Feb. 28, 1973, in Pasadena, California, and graduated from Pasadena's Muir High School, where he lettered in football, baseball and track. He has two sons, Cole and Cassius, and two daughters, Kori and Quincee.
THE MARTIN FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Cornerbacks coach/passing game coordinator at Oregon (2022-23)
Cornerbacks coach at Colorado (2020-21)
Cornerbacks coach at Arizona (2018-19)
Assistant head coach/defensive backs at UCLA (2014-17)
Defensive backs coach at UCLA (2012-13)
Defensive backs coach at Washington (2009-11)
Pass defense coordinator/secondary coach at Mt. San Antonio College (2008)
Graduate assistant coach/secondary at USC (2006-07)
Pass defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Mt. San Antonio College (2003-05)
Secondary coach at Pasadena City College (2001-02)
Secondary coach at John Muir High School (2001)
Defensive Coordinator/secondary coach at Monrovia High School (1999-2000)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (COACH):
2024 Fiesta Bowl (Oregon)
2022 Holiday Bowl (Oregon)
2020 Alamo Bowl (Colorado)
2017 Cactus Bowl (UCLA)
2015 Foster Farms Bowl (UCLA)
2014 Alamo Bowl (UCLA)
2013 Sun Bowl (UCLA)
2012 Holiday Bowl (UCLA)
2011 Alamo Bowl (UCLA)
2010 Holiday Bowl (UCLA)
2008 Rose Bowl (USC)
2007 Rose Bowl (USC)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Four-year letterwinner (1992-95) as a defensive back at Michigan State
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (PLAYER):
1993 Liberty Bowl
1995 Independence Bowl
Martin, a four-year letterwinner at MSU from 1992-95, has been a collegiate coach for more than 20 years, most recently as the cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Oregon the past two seasons. He has also coached at USC (2006-07), Washington (2009-11), UCLA (2012-17), Arizona (2018-19) and Colorado (2020-21). Martin has worked with 18 All-Pac-12 defensive backs and has been on coaching staffs for 12 bowl games.
"Demetrice Martin brings a tremendous amount of experience to our staff," said Smith. "He has developed players at the highest level, both on and off the field, throughout his entire career. As a former player here, I know he's excited about coming back to East Lansing and being a part of this program once again."
With the addition of Martin, Smith has now hired all 10 of his on-field assistant coaches: Blue Adams (secondary), Keith Bhonapha (assistant head coach/running backs/co-special teams coordinator), Courtney Hawkins (wide receivers), Brian Lindgren (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jim Michalczik (offensive line/run game coordinator), Joe Rossi (Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator/linebackers), Legi Suiaunoa (defensive line), Chad Wilt (co-special teams coordinator/rush ends coach) and Brian Wozniak (tight ends/recruiting coordinator).
During his two seasons at Oregon, Martin helped develop one of the best secondaries in the Pac-12, as the Ducks led the conference in passing efficiency defense (117.6 rating) and passing defense (215.9 ypg) in 2023 en route to a 12-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl win over Liberty. Martin coached first-team All-Pac-12 honoree Khyree Jackson, who earned an invite to the Senior Bowl, along with Evan Williams, who garnered second-team all-conference honors. Oregon ranked third in the Pac-12 with 12 interceptions, led by three from Jackson.
In his first season in Eugene, Martin coached first-team All-Pac-12 cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who led the team with four interceptions and seven pass break-ups and was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (No. 17 overall) by the New England Patriots. The Ducks ranked second in the Pac-12 and 10th in the FBS with 16 interceptions overall.
Prior to his arrival at Oregon, Martin worked at five different Pac-12 schools throughout his coaching career. He spent two seasons (2020-21) with the cornerbacks at Colorado, where he also coached Gonzalez before he transferred to Oregon. Martin also coached cornerbacks for two years (2018-19) at Arizona.
A native of Pasadena, California, Martin spent six seasons (2012-17) as the defensive backs coach at UCLA, including the last four as an assistant head coach. He helped the Bruins to a 47-31 record and five bowl appearances. In addition, UCLA posted six consecutive top-20 recruiting classes after the 2011 class ranked 45th in the nation.
Martin coached a total of 11 all-league defensive backs at UCLA. In 2016, the Bruin secondary ranked seventh in the nation in pass defense efficiency (105.8) and 22nd in the nation in interceptions (15). Those marks ranked second and third in the Pac-12. UCLA gave up just 12 touchdown passes on the year, the lowest total by a Pac-12 school. Cornerback Fabian Moreau, an honorable mention All-Pac-12 choice, was selected in the third round (No. 81 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft by Washington and just finished his seventh year in the NFL.
In 2015, the Bruin secondary led the Pac-12 in pass defense (203.2 ypg) and pass defense efficiency (111.5). The year prior, four of Martin's defensive backs were honored with All-Pac-12 selections, including first-team honorees Ishmael Adams (cornerback) and Anthony Jefferson (safety). The unit ranked third in the Pac-12 in pass defense and helped propel the Bruins to a 10-3 record, a No. 10 final ranking and a victory over Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl.
The 2013 season saw Martin prepare a secondary which featured three new starters, but the Bruins still won 10 games and finished No. 16 in the final AP Poll. Adams led the team with four interceptions while Jefferson ranked third on the team in tackles (89) in his initial season as a starter.
Martin's first full-time Pac-12 coaching position was at Washington for three seasons (2009-11) as the program's defensive backs coach, where he helped the Huskies to consecutive bowl appearances (2010 Holiday, 2011 Alamo). He also helped rebuild the UW program with back-to-back Top 25 recruiting classes. The Huskies ranked second in the Pac-12 in pass defense in 2010 and held Nebraska to just 98 passing yards in the 2011 Alamo Bowl victory in San Antonio.
Martin spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons as a graduate assistant coach in the secondary under Pete Carroll at USC, where the Trojans went 22-4 and won back-to-back Rose Bowls over Michigan and Illinois.
Following his time at USC, Martin returned to Mt. San Antonio College for a second time in 2008 as the pass defensive coordinator and secondary coach. He was first at Mt. San Antonio College in the same role from 2003-05, as the Mounties went 23-9 and played in the 2003 and 2004 National Bowls.
Martin's first collegiate coaching position was at Pasadena City Junior College, where he mentored the secondary for two seasons (2001-02). The Lancers went 18-4, won the Mission Conference twice, and played in two bowl games with Martin as the secondary coach.
Martin played collegiately at Michigan State, lettering three years under George Perles (1992-94) and once under Nick Saban (1995). After catching eight passes for 83 yards as a redshirt freshman wide receiver in 1992, Martin switched to the defensive backfield, where he excelled his final three seasons with 124 tackles, 10 interceptions and 12 pass break-ups. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1994 when he led the conference with seven interceptions, which is tied for the fifth most in an MSU single season.
Martin played professionally as a cornerback for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe (1997) and for the Houston Thunderbears (1998-99) in the Arena Football League. He signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams and spent time on the practice squad. Martin earned his bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior (N.Y.) College in 2006.
Martin was born Feb. 28, 1973, in Pasadena, California, and graduated from Pasadena's Muir High School, where he lettered in football, baseball and track. He has two sons, Cole and Cassius, and two daughters, Kori and Quincee.
THE MARTIN FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Cornerbacks coach/passing game coordinator at Oregon (2022-23)
Cornerbacks coach at Colorado (2020-21)
Cornerbacks coach at Arizona (2018-19)
Assistant head coach/defensive backs at UCLA (2014-17)
Defensive backs coach at UCLA (2012-13)
Defensive backs coach at Washington (2009-11)
Pass defense coordinator/secondary coach at Mt. San Antonio College (2008)
Graduate assistant coach/secondary at USC (2006-07)
Pass defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Mt. San Antonio College (2003-05)
Secondary coach at Pasadena City College (2001-02)
Secondary coach at John Muir High School (2001)
Defensive Coordinator/secondary coach at Monrovia High School (1999-2000)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (COACH):
2024 Fiesta Bowl (Oregon)
2022 Holiday Bowl (Oregon)
2020 Alamo Bowl (Colorado)
2017 Cactus Bowl (UCLA)
2015 Foster Farms Bowl (UCLA)
2014 Alamo Bowl (UCLA)
2013 Sun Bowl (UCLA)
2012 Holiday Bowl (UCLA)
2011 Alamo Bowl (UCLA)
2010 Holiday Bowl (UCLA)
2008 Rose Bowl (USC)
2007 Rose Bowl (USC)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Four-year letterwinner (1992-95) as a defensive back at Michigan State
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (PLAYER):
1993 Liberty Bowl
1995 Independence Bowl
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