By Ty Scheiner
When Chuck Martin was named head coach at Miami University in December 2013, he inherited a program struggling to find its footing. Miami’s proud history, known as the “cradle of coaches” with legends like Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian, Bo Schembechler, and Paul Brown, was clouded by recent years of disappointment. The RedHawks, once a MAC powerhouse, had just completed a winless 2013 season. Now, with his recent 60th victory, Martin stands as the winningest coach in Miami’s storied football history—a testament to his dedication and success in revitalizing a program that was down and out.
A Fresh Start for a Struggling Miami Program
Martin took over at Miami after serving as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator for two years, including a trip to the 2012 BCS National Championship. It was no secret that he was stepping into a challenge in Oxford. Miami was fresh off a 0-12 season, and Martin’s first two years weren’t much better, with the Redhawks posting a combined 5-19 record. Yet Martin remained focused on building a culture.
His approach emphasized long-term growth over quick fixes. Instead of solely focusing on immediate wins, Martin’s philosophy was rooted in developing his players both on and off the field, playing disciplined football, and instilling a mentally tough team. By setting this foundation early on, Martin turned around a program that had hit rock bottom.
Laying the Foundation for Success
One of Martin’s greatest strengths has been his keen eye for identifying and developing talent within the constraints of a mid-major program. Miami doesn’t have the recruiting budget or allure of Power Four programs, but Martin has shown a knack for finding players overlooked by larger schools who possess the skills and grit needed to thrive.
While an assistant at Notre Dame in 2011, he was named one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation by ESPN.com and earned a spot on Rivals.com’s Second-Team Assistant Coach Dream Team. He has prioritized building depth in all areas, ensuring that Miami fields a competitive roster with capable backups ready to step in if injuries occur.
This recruiting strategy has paid off, with a series of MAC-caliber stars emerging under Martin’s guidance. Players like Gus Ragland, who led Miami to a bowl game in 2016 (and is now the current QBs coach), and Brett Gabbert, the talented younger brother of NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert, along with defensive lineman Dominique Robinson, who was drafted in the 5th round by the Chicago Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft, have flourished under Martin.
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Martin has also emphasized a disciplined, balanced approach to offense and defense. His RedHawks are known for their gritty, smash-mouth style, grinding out tough wins and often dominating in the trenches. This emphasis on physicality has made Miami a difficult matchup for opponents unprepared for the intensity that Martin’s teams bring.
A testament to Martin and the culture he has built at Miami, despite losing key players to the transfer portal—most notably this season Graham Nicholson to Alabama, running back Rashad Amos to Ole Miss, wide receiver Gage Larvadain to South Carolina, and defensive lineman Caiden Woullard to Oklahoma.
Chuck Martin’s Milestones on the Road to 60 Wins
On the road to 60 wins, Martin had a series of program-defining victories that singled Miami’s return to relevance in the MAC. In 2016, the Redhawks had a remarkable turnaround after starting the season 0-6, winning their final six games to finish the regular season 6-6 and earn a spot in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Although they narrowly to Mississippi State 16-17, it was clear that Martin had brought Miami football back from the brink.
In 2019, Martin led Miami to a MAC Championship, the RedHawks’ first conference title since 2010. Miami defeated Central Michigan 26-21 in the title game.
Chuck Martin’s Enduring Legacy
With his 60th win, Martin has surpassed Randy Walker, who previously held the record for the most wins in school history. This milestone moment is significant not just for Martin but for the university as a whole. Martin has restored the pride of Miami Football and has the Redhawks back as consistent MAC contenders.
