South Carolina coach Frank Martin emerges as top target for Cincinnati

(Photo by Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire)

4/12 update: Martin has released a statement saying that he will not meet with Cincinnati regarding its head coaching position.

South Carolina head coach Frank Martin is reportedly a top target for Cincinnati as it looks to fill its coaching vacancy.

Former Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin left to take the head coaching job at UCLA, which leaves the Bearcats searching for a suitable replacement.

And Martin has apparently become one of their main targets at this point in the coaching search, according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman.

Martin served as an assistant at Cincinnati for two seasons under both Bob Huggins and Andy Kennedy, so the connection would make sense.

Since joining South Carolina back in 2012, Martin has compiled a 129-106 record overall, which included leading the program to its first Final Four in 2017.

The Gamecocks finished 16-16 this past season, but did manage to turn things around after a slow start by finishing fourth in the SEC.

Prior to arriving in Columbia, Martin led Kansas State to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons and helped the program reach the Elite Eight in his third season.

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