Martin knows it’s been a bad season, knows he can fix it (AUDIO) #Gamecocks

The worst season of Frank Martin’s college basketball coaching life likely will end this week in Nashville at the SEC Tournament. The 11th seeded Gamecocks will play Ole Miss late Thursday night. With 12 losses in their last 15 games, many in blow-out fashion, the Gamecocks have given little indication they can suddenly come to life and extend their season with a deep run.

When the season ends, Martin will be left with two years on his contract. Locally and nationally his future with the program he has built over nine seasons is being debated. In a Zoom session with the media Tuesday morning, Martin acknowledged this one bad season of his tenure but also expressed the belief he can fix the problems.

Key comments from Martin Tuesday:

• Doing their best to prepare as best they can and go into the tournament with a clear mind.
• Wins and losses have been the least of his issues they’ve struggled with this season, it’s all the other issues related to Covid, health, shutdowns, individuality, academics.
• They’ve had a difficult year internally but this is a winning program. There’s nothing broken.
• They’ve got to figure out a way to score against Ole Miss. Had some good opportunities in the regular season game but couldn’t make shots.
• No decision yet on availability of injured players Couisnard and Woods.
• This is home, been here 9 years, not looking for another job, has given to the community, doesn’t talk contract with university officials during the season.
• The university knows where he stands, they know he’s had countless opportunities to talk to other schools and never did, this is his home, when season ends, he’ll have conversations. If he’s wanted, this is where he wants to call home.
• They have fixed things here once and he can fix it again.
• “When you build things without cheating, it takes time.”

Frank Martin press conference