As expected, Villanova has added former Team Takeover 16s and Paul VI associate coach Doug Martin to its staff — which could turn out to have a dramatic impact on recruiting.
Martin replaces Doug West, who is leaving to pursue “other opportunities,” according to a school release.
“We are happy to welcome Doug Martin to our Villanova Basketball family,” head coach Jay Wright said. “Doug is an outstanding young coach with a bright future. I know the Nova Nation will join us in welcoming him to our community.”
Martin, who played professionally in Australia and South America, is one of several Washington, D.C.-area AAU coaches making the move into college coaching. Indiana hired former Takeover assistant Kenny Johnson, Rutgers has former DC Assault coach David Cox and Maryland hired former DC Assault coach Dalonte Hill.
Villanova’s move could help recruiting immediately.
“I like Villanova’s coaching staff,” 2014 Sidwell Friends guard Josh Hart told SNY.tv at the recent “Live in AC” event. “They seem kind of genuine and that kind of thing. And also my 16s coach I think is going to be at Villanova so that’s never a bad thing.
“I know I will be taken care of with him there.”
Not surprisingly, when Hart cut his list to seven schools — Rutgers, Arizona, Memphis, Penn State, Miami, Cincinnati, and Villanova — Villanova made the list.
Phil Booth, a highly regarded 2014 Takeover guard, echoed Hart’s sentiments about Martin.
“Coach Martin’s move to Villanova will impact my recruitment considering he has coached me these past two years and knowing he is a Takeover guy, that means something,” Booth told Alex Kline of Rivals.com.
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