SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Mike Martin launched his initial public recruiting effort by posing a rhetorical question to a gathering of reporters.
“Could you mention any additional schools where you can vie for national titles in athletics while pursuing Ivy League-level degrees in academics?” Martin stated. “Could you all respond to that for me?”
After a brief pause, the new general manager of Notre Dame football concluded his statement.
“That’s the purpose of our gathering here,” Martin remarked. “I simply want to express that.”
Martin, who devoted the last four seasons of his 22-year NFL career to the Detroit Lions off the field, has taken on a changing position in college football that is being occupied by individuals with various backgrounds. Since Martin transitioned to Notre Dame from the NFL, he has much to learn about the recruiting process. A lot has shifted since he was brought in from Tampa (Fla.). Jesuit will serve as a defensive back at Vanderbilt (1999-02).
“I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers,” Martin stated. “I am studying.” Wow, I just found out where the restroom is yesterday. I have much to learn in this place. I have a learning curve to navigate in this situation.
“I’m looking forward to taking them on, but the recruitment aspects will be somewhat unfamiliar to me.” I’ve engaged in some recruiting, mainly focusing on undrafted rookie free agents or bringing in players from free agency. I will rely significantly on my team. Luckily, I’ve joined this amazing team. They have a deep understanding of the recruitment field.
“I’m entering and asking, ‘Where can I contribute?’” This squad reached the national championship before I arrived here. “They’re instructing me, and I’m gaining just as much knowledge from them as I aim to impart.”
Martin takes over for Chad Bowden, who joined head coach Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame from Cincinnati and advanced in his career as a recruiting expert with aspirations of growing as an evaluator. Bowden departed to assume the role of general manager at USC earlier this year.
Martin is essentially the opposite of Bowden. He will grow as a recruiter by utilizing his background as an evaluator, which encompasses roles as a pro scout, regional scout, college scout, and national scout. Martin spent four years playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 11 years with the Houston Texans, and three years with the Carolina Panthers before his last four seasons as the director of scouting advancement for Detroit.
Martin wished that his initial job in the NFL could have been as a player, but he soon realized after his time at Vanderbilt that this wouldn’t be possible. He was nearly ready to take a position with Cintas, a company specializing in corporate uniforms, when a phone call came from the Buccaneers in 2003.
“That day, I realized this is something I want to explore,” Martin stated. “I visited that place and successfully secured the position.” Immediately, I understood this is something I feel strongly about. For years, I had been looking for players, even in little league, saying I don’t want to face that person. You’re keeping track; I want to be the third person so I can avoid facing that large individual.
“I had been assessing talent, so I seized that chance to highlight it.” It was at that moment that I understood this was a career I could pursue. Throughout the years, my passion for it has increasingly deepened. I adore football and I’m enthusiastic about football. I have a strong enthusiasm for creating and organizing rosters. “It’s something that has always intrigued me.”
Martin had never considered a role in college football until he received interest from Notre Dame and Freeman. As he began to think about the position, he saw that it still matched his career aspirations.
“It has never been about the NFL or college football,” Martin stated. “It has always focused on creating and assisting individuals in their growth.” It’s always focused on nurturing youth to ensure we align and enable them to succeed both on and off the field. Additionally, to achieve victories in championships both on and off the field.
“I considered it for a moment, and I have always aspired to be a GM, and I can become one.” Here I find myself as a GM. Everything remains the same. My objective has remained unchanged. It’s simply about recognizing the appropriate individuals with the necessary skills and assisting them in achieving team success and excellence.
Martin’s repeated use of the phrase “team glory” shows that he has swiftly embraced the mantra Freeman often referenced over the past year. Martin’s perspective on what Notre Dame should depend on for identifying and assessing talent seems very similar to Freeman’s as well.
“I have a strong faith in the intangible qualities, so character will play a significant role,” Martin stated. “I recognize that there are numerous people of integrity here.” If you lack that and aren’t of a particular type, you might feel somewhat out of place here. I want to ensure that you all grasp the process, which begins for me with character.
“During the evaluation process, it’s about finding players who match our criteria, not only in their performance but also as individuals.” Individuals who are receptive to growth and development. It’s essential that we cultivate young people. Regardless of whether they are football players, athletes, or colleagues I will collaborate with, it is essential to cultivate their development.
“It’s essential they realize we have the same aim of achieving team excellence.” It’s entirely about teamwork and collaboration. The team’s achievement will be significant here. Marcus repeats it repeatedly. “It’s all about the team’s honor.”
Martin has come together again at Notre Dame with scouting director Matt Jansen. The pair collaborated in Houston. Jansen’s significance might be heightened under Martin.
“Matt has provided me with an overview of the situation here,” Martin stated. “It has been fantastic to enter the building and spot a recognizable face.” He’s someone I’ll rely on greatly for his assessments. He was quite engaged in the portal over the last year. We aim to broaden that for him and let him view some high school content.
“He will be a crucial component of our future endeavors.” He adds significantly to the worth. He’s an excellent communicator with people. He’s reluctant to acknowledge it, but he has a background in recruiting, and he’s excelled in that role. He will play a significant role in that recruiting office for us. His assessment abilities will be vital for our needs.
The complete structure of the personnel, scouting, and recruiting teams that Martin will manage has not yet been finalized or thoroughly detailed. The Irish lost their director of player personnel, Zaire Turner, to USC, and director of recruiting, Caleb Davis, to San Diego State. Carter Auman, formerly an assistant to Bowden, has assumed the position of recruiting director. Returning from the previous year are Becca Sites, who coordinates on-campus recruiting, and Deland McCullough II, an analyst focusing on high school relations.
Freeman and Martin hold identical beliefs regarding team construction. Freeman has consistently emphasized that his program will focus primarily on recruiting while also giving some attention to the transfer portal. This corresponds with the NFL approach Martin adopted, where a team is primarily constructed through the draft, with free agency employed to enhance the roster.
Martin stated, “We operate in the development sector.” “We’re going to rely significantly on our new recruits and the players we bring in from high school.” We will ensure that the appropriate people and the correct individuals are present.
“We’re always seeking to enhance the team.” We’ll accomplish part of that by visiting the portal. We will not reside in the portal. We have scholarly elements here — the scholarly rigor. We take pride in that. We won’t be able to contact everyone — we aren’t aiming to connect with each individual in the portal. “We will be quite discerning in that regard.”
In a month, the college football scene might undergo a significant change due to the suggested settlement stemming from antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA. Revenue sharing and roster restrictions might be forthcoming. NIL could keep developing. Martin cannot possibly foresee how everything will turn out. However, he’s prepared to welcome whatever lies ahead.
“The goalposts are shifting and will keep shifting,” Martin stated. “I believe there isn’t a specific method.” I believe the difficulty of it all, along with some of the uncertainty, is what fascinated me about this position. If there’s no difficulty, I don’t desire it. “It isn’t meant for me.”
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