On the same day DeWayne Walker abruptly and unexpectedly left New Mexico State for an NFL job, Doug Martin was named as the Aggies’ interim head coach.
Less than a week later, the “interim” tag has been dropped.
In a press release, NMSU confirmed that Martin has been named as the football team’s head coach. A 9 a.m. local time press conference has been scheduled to officially introduce Martin.
Martin will become the 34th head coach in Aggies history.
Just a week prior to Walker’s departure, Martin had been named as the Aggies’ new offensive coordinator. Martin had come to NMSU after spending one season as Boston College’s coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Given the timing of Walker’s decision and Martin’s experience, the move makes sense. From 2004-10, Martin served as the head coach at Kent State. While Martin was just 29-53 in his time with the Golden Flashes, the fact that he’s been there, done that will make the transition “easier” than going with someone who had neither been there nor done it.
Additionally, he’ll have some semblance of familiarity in his favor; in 2011, Martin served as the Aggies’ coordinator.