Martin Returns to UNK to Lead Offense

Assistant Coach for the Lopers in the 1980's

Kearney, NE - Nebraska-Kearney head coach Darrell Morris announced today that Russ Martin is the team's new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Martin held those same duties at I-AA Southeast Missouri State the past four years.
 

Martin replaces Nate Kaczor, who left UNK in December to be the co-offensive coordinator at Division I Idaho. 
 

In addition to Martin's hiring, Andy Follett, the Lopers wide receiver coach the past five years, is being promoted to assistant offensive coordinator. He will continue to lead UNK's talented receivers.
 

Morris also announced today that Jay Christensen, a linebacker for the Lopers from 1995-98, is the team's new graduate assistant coach. He will coach the defensive secondary and replaces Nate Neuhaus.
 

A native of Scottsbluff, Martin coached the defensive backs at UNK during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. The Chadron State graduate was head coach at NAIA Black Hills State (S.D.) from 1996-99 and has also been an assistant at Baylor (1985), Kansas Wesleyan (1988-91) and Bethany College, Kans. (1991-95).
 

"We're very excited that Russ is coming to UNK. I've known him for a better part of 20 years and he is a perfect fit for this program," Morris said. "Russ is very optimistic and his personality will allow him to fit right in with our players and coaching staff."
 

At SEMO, Martin directed an offense that averaged 25.6 points and 383.4 yards of offense per game over the last four years. In 2002, the Indians went 8-4, their best record since 1969. That team averaged 34.6 points and 447.3 yards of offense per game with receiver Willie Ponder setting a school record for catches in year (87) and also setting the Ohio Valley Conference mark for TD catches in a single season (15).
 

This past year, the Indians went 5-7 (5-3 OVC) with tight end Ray Goodson and center Eugene Amano earning All-American honors.
 

Under Follett's tutelage, UNK's recent receivers have rewritten the school record book. That group includes All-Americans Trevor Weston and Richie Ross and five others that have earned All-RMAC honors.
 

Christensen, a St. Paul native, registered 146 tackles in his UNK career. A two-year starter, he was a co-captain on the 1998 team and has since played for the Tri-City Diesel.
 

Christensen is already working with the program while Martin will start this weekend. 
 

In 2004, UNK will return eight starters from an offense that averaged 36.1 points and a school-record 506.2 yards per game last fall.