Demetrice Martin to Guide Secondary in Return to Westwood

LOS ANGELES -- Demetrice Martin has been hired as pass game coordinator and secondary coach for the UCLA football team, head coach DeShaun Foster announced Monday. The hiring represents a return to Westwood for Martin, a Pasadena, Calif. native who previously served on the Bruins' staff from 2012-2017.

Martin has amassed 26 years of coaching experience, including 18 on the FBS level, in defensive backfields. He spent the 2024 season as cornerbacks coach at Michigan State, where he guided a unit that placed in the top half of the Big Ten Conference in passing yards allowed (206.9 per game). Cornerback Charles Brantley recorded a team-high three interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six against Prairie View A&M.

"Coach Meat knows what it takes to win at UCLA," said Foster. "He is an enthusiastic recruiter who consistently brings the best out of his players on and off the field. We're excited to have him back on the West Coast and I know he can't wait to get to work."

Martin spent two seasons each at Oregon (2022, 2023), Colorado (2020, 2021) and Arizona (2018, 2019) before joining the Spartans. He was cornerbacks coach at each stop, adding the title of passing game coordinator with the Ducks. Martin's time with Oregon included wins in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl and the 2022 Holiday Bowl. In 2023, Oregon paced the Pac-12 in passing efficiency defense (117.6 rating) and passing defense (215.9 yards per game). Named Pac-12 Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports in 2022, Martin helped develop corners Khyree Jackson (fourth round to Minnesota in 2024) and Christian Gonzalez (first round to New England in 2023) into NFL draft picks. Gonzalez also worked under Martin's tutelage at Colorado, where the Buffaloes allowed a league-low 55.6% of passes to be completed en route to a berth in the 2020 Alamo Bowl.

UCLA made five bowl appearances, including back-to-back victories in the 2013 Sun Bowl and the 2014 Alamo Bowl, during Martin's six seasons with the Bruins. The 2013 and 2014 teams both registered 10-win seasons, while the latter saw its ranking reach No. 7 and finish No. 10. The 2015 squad also climbed to No. 7.

Martin was elevated to assistant head coach in 2014 and his defensive backs did not miss a beat, with Ishmael Adams (first team), Anthony Jefferson (second team), Fabian Moreau (second team) and Jaleel Wadood (honorable mention) garnering All-Conference acclaim that year. Moreau went on to be picked in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by Washington. The 2015 secondary led the Pac-12 in passing yards allowed (203.2 per game) and team passing efficiency defense (113.4), while the 2016 group finished second (210.5) and third (105.9) in those categories, respectively, and gave up a conference-low 12 touchdown passes.

Bruins also earning All-Conference recognition under Martin's watch were Andrew Abbott, Randall Goforth and Marcus Rios. Abbott (2012), Goforth (2016) and Sheldon Price (2012) recorded four-interception seasons during this time. Martin helped attract and develop some of the nation's top talent, as 247Sports rated each of UCLA's recruiting classes in the top 20 during his tenure.

While working as defensive backs coach at Washington from 2009-2011, the Huskies reeled in a pair of top-25 recruiting classes of their own. Cornerback Desmond Trufant went on to become a first-round NFL draft pick of Atlanta in 2013. Washington made appearances in the 2010 Holiday Bowl and the 2011 Alamo Bowl. The 2010 Huskies finished second in passing yards allowed (194.4) among Pac-12 teams.

In 2006 and 2007, Martin was a graduate assistant at USC, working with the Trojan secondary. Prior to joining the USC staff, he spent three seasons (2003-05) as the pass defense coordinator and secondary coach at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. The Mounties played in the National Bowl in 2003 and 2004. Martin was also the secondary coach at his hometown Pasadena City College in 2001 and 2002. The Lancers went 18-4 during that period, winning the Mission Conference title each year and appearing in two bowl games. Martin began his coaching career as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Monrovia (Calif.) high school in 2001 and 2002.

Martin played wide receiver and cornerback at Michigan State from 1992-95, earning first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 1994 when he led the conference with seven interceptions. He had 10 interceptions in his career and the Spartans went on to play in the 1993 Liberty Bowl and the 1995 Independence Bowl.

Martin played professionally as a cornerback for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe (1997) and for the Houston Thunderbears (1998 and 1999) in the Arena Football League. He signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams and spent time on the practice squad. Martin earned his bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Excelsior College (Albany, N.Y.) in 2006.

Martin was born Feb. 28, 1973 in Pasadena, California and graduated from Pasadena's Muir high school, where he lettered in football, baseball and track and field. He has two sons, Cole and Cassius, and two daughters, Kori and Quincee.

MARTIN'S COACHING EXPERIENCE

1999, 2000 – Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach, Monrovia HS (Monrovia, Calif.)

2001, 2002 – Secondary Coach, Pasadena City College

2003-05 – Pass Defense Coordinator/Secondary Coach, Mt. San Antonio College

2006, 2007 – Graduate Assistant Coach/Secondary, USC

2008 – Pass Defense Coordinator/Secondary Coach, Mt. San Antonio College

2009-2011 – Defensive Backs Coach, Washington

2012, 2013 – Defensive Backs Coach, UCLA

2014-17 – Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs, UCLA

2018, 2019 – Cornerbacks Coach, Arizona

2020, 2021 – Cornerbacks Coach, Colorado

2022, 2023 – Cornerbacks Coach/Passing Game Coordinator, Oregon

2024 – Cornerbacks Coach, Michigan State