John Carroll boys basketball coach Tony Martin, who spent 11 years at the helm and led the Patriots to the Baltimore Catholic League tournament championship this season, has stepped down to take a coaching job and be closer to extended family in Wilmington, N.C.
Martin went 266-130 in his career at John Carroll, going 27-11 this season that included a trip to the championship game of the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. His best season at John Carroll came in 2010-11 when the Patriots went 33-5 and swept the BCL and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference crowns. Prior to John Carroll, he spent three seasons as head coach at Archbishop Spalding, leading the Cavaliers to a BCL title, and also had stints as an assistant coach at Mount Saint Joseph and now-defunct Cardinal Gibbons.
Martin was appreciative of the support he received at John Carroll.
"It's been fun. We've had tremendous administrative support here and you can't build a program to any successful level without it," he said. "The administration here has been great and it will be a highly sought-after position because of the type of people that are here and certainly enhanced by the type of program we are leaving behind."
The Patriots have a promising group set to return next season led by sophomore guard Immanuel Quickley, who was named The Baltimore Sun's All-Metro Player of the Year.
"The biggest issue is leaving the kids and trying to help them understand what's going on. Life, adult-type decisions are not always understood by teenagers, but they support what is happening here and they know I have some family health challenges to the extended family," Martin said. "I've encouraged them all to stay and support the hiring process as quickly as they can get it done to get the right fit. I think the school is committed to keeping the program at a very high level and hopefully it will be a smooth transition."
In a release on the school's website, athletic director Steve Teter said of Martin: "We're proud of what we've accomplished with Coach Martin. He was instrumental in developing the basketball program into a national power. He will leave behind big shoes to fill, but we will begin a search for a new coach right away to continue our success on the basketball court."
Martin plans to be in the area this summer along with future summers to run basketball camps at John Carroll.
With the paperwork not complete in North Carolina, Martin didn't disclose the school he will be going to. He did say it was another chance to build a program from the ground up, much like he did successfully at Spalding and John Carroll.
"It's a phenomenal opportunity with great people and the school has unlimited potential," he said. "But, most importantly, it gives us a chance to pull my family in an area that's going to be a great place to live for, hopefully, the rest of my life."