Michigan Basketball: Where things stand with assistants and recruits
Michigan offers Martelli
Since 1985, Phil Martelli has been coaching the Hawks at Saint Joseph. Since 1995, he has been the head coach. A three-time tournament champion, Martelli boasts an overall head coaching record of 444-328.
During the 2015-16 season, the Hawks ended 28-8 and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament losing by five to Oregon. Then disaster struck, seasons ending 11-20, 16-16, and 14-19, led to the demise of one of the longest-tenured head coaches in college basketball.
Now he is not only rumored as a candidate for an assistant position at Michigan but Mike Jensen from the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting the Wolverines have given Martelli a ‘firm offer’.
Phil Martelli has a firm offer from Michigan to be an assistant coach under new head coach Juwan Howard, according to several sources.
— Mike Jensen (@jensenoffcampus) May 30, 2019
Martelli was a staple at Saint Joesph’s much like Beilein was at Michigan, leading the Hawks valiantly. Phil earned AP Coach of the Year, Naismith Coach of the Year, Henry Iba Award, Jim Phelan Award, the Adolph Rupp Cup, and four conference Coach of the Year awards. And if you think the 64-year-old is ready to throw in the towel, read this excerpt from his statement following his release from the team.
“Through the pain and numbness, I am excited. I am fired up. I need to be on a sideline and working with hungry student-athletes who want to be challenged to put smiles on people’s faces and joy in their hearts — the challenge of becoming champions.”