NEW YORK — Former South Carolina legend Alex English says the school should lock up Frank Martin to a long-term extension.
“They need to give him a new deal, make sure he stays there,” English told ZAGSBLOG courtside at Madison Square Garden after Martin led the Gamecocks to their first-ever Final Four with a 77-70 win over SEC rival Florida in the East Regional final.
South Carolina (26-10) will face Gonzaga in the national semifinals on Saturday in Glendale, Ariz.
“I’m not gonna pay Gonzaga a minute of attention until sometime [Monday],” Martin, who also celebrated his 51st birthday here on Thursday, said as he soaked in his team’s victory.
In April 2016, South Carolina gave Martin a four-year contract extension and a raise after tying the school’s record for most wins in a season at 25. This year’s total exceeds that by one and counting.
Martin received a raise of $350,000 and was slated to make $2.45 million this season. The contract kept Martin at South Carolina through 2021-22. He had two years remaining on the six-year contract he signed after arriving from Kansas State following the 2011-12 season.
Martin’s salary will increase by $50,000 each year through the life of the contract.
(The AP contributed; Photo: Coley Harvey/ESPN)
