Watch: 9 best things cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin said after Arizona Wildcats' practice
Recruiting expert
Updated
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin earned his stripes as an assistant coach at the Division-I level.
He was a graduate assistant at USC for two seasons, then coached at Washington from 2008-11 and UCLA from 2011-17 before arriving at Arizona. He's coached players such as Desmond Trufant of the Atlanta Falcons and two-time Pro Bowler Marcus Peters who's now with the Los Angeles Rams.
What does Martin bring to the table other than the fact he coaches cornerbacks? His recruiting.
Martin is known for his prowess on the recruiting trail and establishing relationships with players and their 7-on-7 coaches, or as he likes to call it, "pajama ball."
At Arizona, Martin's region for recruiting will be in the inland empire in Los Angeles, which consists of Temecula, Riverside, Corona and San Bernardino. He will also be in charge of the Dallas, Texas area and hasn't made an official schedule for Arizona's recruiting period after spring practice, but will hit the road after the spring game on April 14.
Martin met with the media after Arizona's practice on Thursday, here's what he had to say.
Meeting Kevin Sumlin for first time
UpdatedDemetrice Martin on how he met Kevin Sumlin: pic.twitter.com/M4PVFwmYLs
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
Joining Sumlin's staff
UpdatedDemetrice Martin on coaching at Arizona: “This is one of the easiest staffs that I’ve worked for. ... The way Coach Sumlin runs it, is stress free and there’s no ego.” pic.twitter.com/rX16kQWEkh
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
Recruiting
UpdatedArizona cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin on recruiting: “It’s a marathon ran at a sprinter’s pace.” pic.twitter.com/Z0eZkvyQC3
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
'Pajama ball'
UpdatedDemetrice Martin says he doesn’t focus primarily on 7-on-7 — or as he calls it “pajama ball” — when he recruits. “You can have a Tarzan in pajama ball, but when you put on them pads, he might play a little closer to Jane than looking like Tarzan.” pic.twitter.com/8ZxK9lQs2H
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
'Coachable group'
UpdatedDemetrice Martin says Arizona’s cornerbacks are a “very coachable group.” pic.twitter.com/2lt8AKMP3S
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
Cornerbacks and recruiting
UpdatedDemetrice Martin on Arizona’s group of cornerbacks, and his role in recruiting: pic.twitter.com/67tsbHy3Vk
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
Working with Noel Mazzone
UpdatedDemetrice Martin on offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone discovering weapons on offense in the early stages of spring practice: “He’s a little kooky when it comes to that stuff, there’s no telling what you’ll get.” pic.twitter.com/kyuouGGHvW
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
Showing the Cats some old dogs
UpdatedDemetrice Martin always shows Arizona’s cornerbacks film of his former players, which includes Desmond Trufant and Marcus Peters. pic.twitter.com/e12WLhGVgY
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
Fulfilling needs in recruiting
UpdatedDemetrice Martin on the spring evaluation and using what they’ve learned in practice to fill needs during recruiting: pic.twitter.com/zdGDyWDQsQ
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 30, 2018
