Wikipedia

Phil Martelli

For his son, see Phil Martelli Jr.

Philip Martelli Sr. (born August 31, 1954) is an American college basketball coach, who was recently the associate head coach for the Michigan Wolverines.

Phil Martelli
Martelli in 2020
Biographical details
Born (1954-08-31) August 31, 1954 (age 70)
Media, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Playing career
1972–1976Widener
Position(s)Point guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1977–1978Widener (assistant)
1978–1985Bishop Kenrick HS
1985–1995Saint Joseph's (assistant)
1995–2019Saint Joseph's
2019–2024Michigan (assoc. HC)
2022, 2023Michigan (acting HC)
Head coaching record
Overall446–330 (college)
Tournaments7–7 (NCAA Division I)
10–6 (NIT)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Awards

As the former head coach of the St. Joseph's Hawks, he led Saint Joseph's to seven NCAA Tournaments and six NIT appearances in 24 seasons as head coach.[1]

Early life

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Martelli was born on August 31, 1954, in Media, Pennsylvania. He attended high school at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, graduating in 1972.[2][3][4] He played basketball on the 1970-71 team that won the Catholic League title under coach Eddie Burke. In 2023, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the school's Hall of Excellence.[5]

Playing career

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Martelli was a point guard for Widener University. As point guard, he was part of the NCAA Division III tournament teams in 1974-75 and 1975–76, and held the school's single season and career assist marks (421) at the time he graduated. He still ranks third in overall assists as of 2022.[6][7][8]

Coaching career

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Bishop Kenrick High School

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After graduating from Widener, Martelli became an assistant coach for Widener (1976-77). The following season he became the head coach at Bishop Kenrick High School in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Future Basketball Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma was an assistant on Martelli's coaching staff for six years. He continues doing charitable work in the Norristown community, decades after his high school coaching days ended there.[8][9][10]

St. Josephs (1985–2019)

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Martelli began his career on Hawk Hill with SJU's 1985-86 NCAA Tournament team, as an assistant coach under Jim Boyle.[8][11] In his decade as an assistant, he was part of the Hawks' NIT teams in 1992-93 and 1994–95. After 10 years as an assistant under Jim Boyle and John Griffin, Martelli was named the 14th coach in school history on July 20, 1995,[12] and just the third non-alumnus to coach the school.

In his first season as head coach (1995–96) his team reached the final game of the NIT Tournament, losing to Nebraska 60–56.[13] In his second year, under the floor generalship of Junior point guard Rashid Bey, and help from Arthur "Yah" Davis, Terrell Meyrs, and Dmitri Domani, Martelli's Hawks captured the Atlantic 10 (A-10) crown and made it into the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA tournament. St. Joe's ended the season ranked 12th nationally.[14]

They would not duplicate that success until landing future Naismith College Player of the Year Jameer Nelson[15][16] and former NBA players Delonte West and Dwayne Jones.[17][18] In 2000-01, led by Marvin O'Connor, the team was 26–7 and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament; Nelson being named A-10 rookie-of-the-year.[19][15] Led by Nelson and West, in 2002-2003, the Hawks were 23–7, but lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.[20]

With Nelson as point guard, Martelli led the 2003–04 Hawks to the greatest season in school history. The Hawks went 27–0 regular season. The Hawks lost to Xavier in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, and reached the Elite Eight, ultimately losing to Oklahoma State 64–62, to finish with a record of 30–2.[21][22][23] This is "officially" the deepest run that St. Joseph's has ever made in the tournament; the 1960–61 team went all the way to the Final Four and won the third-place game, but that run was scrubbed from the books due to a gambling scandal.[24] That year, Martelli was named Naismith College Coach of the Year, and Nelson player of the year.[25]

In 2004–05, Martelli led the Hawks back to the final game of the NIT, where they lost to South Carolina.[26] During the season, Martelli won his 235th game on Hawk Hill, passing Hall of Famer Jack Ramsay[27] as the second-winningest coach in school history; behind only Billy Ferguson (whom Martelli later surpassed).[28][29][30]

In 2005–06, the Hawks returned to the NIT, eventually losing to Hofstra University.[31] In 2008, Martelli led Saint Joseph's to its first NCAA Tournament since 2004 with a team led by Pat Calathes and Ahmad Nivins.[32] In 2014, the Hawks returned to the NCAA Tournament after winning their second Atlantic 10 Championship under Martelli, led by Langston Galloway, Ronald Roberts and Halil Kanacević.[33] The Hawks went on to lose in overtime to the eventual 2013-14 National Champion Connecticut Huskies in the Second Round of the Tournament.[34][35]

In 2007, Phil Martelli's first book Don't Call Me Coach: A Lesson Plan For Life was published.[36] Students at SJU often say "In Martelli We Trust" about their beloved basketball coach. Martelli had a weekly show during the basketball season called Hawk Talk which discusses the standing of the university and the basketball team.[37]

In October 2008, Martelli signed a contract extension at St. Joe's through the 2015–16 season.[38]

In December 2011, Martelli was referenced in an article on SI.com in which former player Todd O'Brien detailed his side of a story about his former coach holding a grudge. O'Brien had applied for a graduate student waiver, where he was allowed to transfer to pursue a post graduate degree in a field not offered by their original institution, but SJU would not release him to play. The NCAA denied O'Brien's appeal and SJU was legally unable to comment on the details of the case. Martelli refused to honor O'Brien's request and kept him in his contract for undisclosed reasons. Martelli was characterized by most reporters as being unreasonable about this for holding a grudge against O'Brien.[39]

 
Martelli in 2016

With a win against Morgan State in 2011, Martelli became the all-time winningest coach in Saint Joseph's history with his 310th victory, passing Billy Ferguson.[40]

On October 25, 2015, Saint Joe's announced that Martelli received another contract extension (though the terms of the deal were not immediately released).[41][42] On March 13, 2016, Martelli claimed his second A-10 title in three years as the Hawks defeated VCU 87–74 in the 2016 Atlantic 10 Championship.[43]

The 28 win season Martelli produced in 2015-16[44] would be the last of his NCAA tournament quality teams.[45] Over the next 4 years, Martelli would experience multiple sub-500 teams. On March 19, 2019, Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner announced that the university had let go of Martelli, ending his 24-year tenure as head coach.[46]

In his 24 years as head coach, Martelli's final record at St. Joe's was 444–328, with six regular season conference championships, three conference tournament championships, and seven NCAA tournament appearances; in addition to his teams' six NIT appearances. His 18 post-season wins are the most in school history. Martelli has also lost more games than any coach in Saint Joseph's history, eclipsing Bill Ferguson's 208 losses in 25 seasons.[47][29][48][49]

Michigan (2019–2024)

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On June 3, 2019, Martelli accepted a position as the associate head coach (second-in-command) at the University of Michigan.[50] New Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, who had no experience coaching in college, asked Martelli to join his staff to provide college recruiting and game experience.[51]

On February 22, 2022, Martelli was named as Michigan's interim head coach following Howard's suspension for the remainder of the 2021–22 regular season after he engaged in a physical altercation with Wisconsin coaching staff at the conclusion of a game between the two teams.[52] He led Michigan to a 3–2 record with wins over rivals Michigan State and #23 Ohio State.[53][54]

In September 2023, Martelli was designated as acting head coach after Howard had emergency heart surgery.[55] Overall, filling in as head coach for Howard at Michigan, he was 8–7.[48] Howard and staff were fired at the end of the 2023-24 season, making it Martelli's last season as Michigan's assistant coach.[56][48]

Broadcasting

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Martelli hosted a show on WIP sports radio in Philadelphia in the 2000s.[4] As of 2025, Martelli provides analysis for Fox Sports (debuting on November 9, 2024 to good reviews) and ESPN.[48][57] In 2024, Martelli also started his own podcast, Make a Difference.[58]

Personal life

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Martelli is married to the former Judy Marra, who played on two national championship basketball teams at Immaculata College.[59] In 2014, Marra's Immaculata teams were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[60] Martelli is close friends with long time University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma. His son, Phil Jr., has served as the head coach of the Bryant University men's basketball team since November 15, 2023.[61] His other son, Jimmy, serves as an assistant coach on the Penn State University men's basketball team.[62]

Martelli has served as president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches' (NABC) Board of Directors; as a member of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Ethics Coalition; and on the NCAA Division I Oversight Committee.[63][28] In 2021, he received the NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Leadership.[49] In 2016, CollegeInsider.com presented Martelli with the Gene Bartow Award for outstanding achievement and contributions to the game.[28]

Martelli served as chair of the Coaches vs. Cancer National Council for 12 years, and as the co-chair of the Philadelphia chapter of that organization.[28][49] In 2017, he was the co-recipient of the American Cancer Society's Circle of Honor Award with Fran Dunphy of Temple University.[28] Martelli and Dunphy led a group of Philadelphia area coaches in becoming one of the top fundraising groups in the country.[12]

Martelli has been awarded honorary doctorates from Widener University (2004), Cabrini College (2006) and Immaculata University (2010).[28]

Head coaching record

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Saint Joseph's Hawks (Atlantic 10 Conference) (1995–2019)
1995–96 Saint Joseph's 19–13 9–7 3rd NIT Runner-up
1996–97 Saint Joseph's 26–7 13–3 1st NCAA Division I Sweet 16
1997–98 Saint Joseph's 11–17 3–13 5th (East)
1998–99 Saint Joseph's 12–18 5–11 5th (East)
1999–00 Saint Joseph's 13–16 7–9 4th (East)
2000–01 Saint Joseph's 26–7 14–2 1st (East) NCAA Division I Round of 32
2001–02 Saint Joseph's 19–12 12–4 1st (East) NIT second round
2002–03 Saint Joseph's 23–7 12–4 1st (East) NCAA Division I Round of 64
2003–04 Saint Joseph's 30–2 16–0 1st (East) NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2004–05 Saint Joseph's 24–12 14–2 1st NIT Runner-up
2005–06 Saint Joseph's 19–14 9–7 5th NIT second round
2006–07 Saint Joseph's 18–14 9–7 6th
2007–08 Saint Joseph's 21–13 9–7 5th NCAA Division I Round of 64
2008–09 Saint Joseph's 17–15 9–7 5th
2009–10 Saint Joseph's 11–20 5–11 T–11th
2010–11 Saint Joseph's 11–22 4–12 12th
2011–12 Saint Joseph's 20–14 9–7 5th NIT first round
2012–13 Saint Joseph's 18–14 8–8 T–8th NIT first round
2013–14 Saint Joseph's 24–10 11–5 T–3rd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2014–15 Saint Joseph's 13–18 7–11 10th
2015–16 Saint Joseph's 28–8 13–5 4th NCAA Division I Round of 32
2016–17 Saint Joseph's 11–20 4–14 T–12th
2017–18 Saint Joseph's 16–16 10–8 4th
2018–19 Saint Joseph's 14–19 6–12 T–10th
Saint Joseph's: 444–328 (.575) 218–176 (.553)
Total: 444–328 (.575)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Career highlights

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Phil Martelli Biography - Saint Joseph's University - Official Athletic Site". www.sjuhawks.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-05.
  2. ^ "Phil Martelli - Men's Basketball Coach". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  3. ^ "Phil Martelli Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  4. ^ a b Bastani, Stan and Parisa (December 7, 2007). "Talking Points | Phil Martelli, St. Joe's coach". www.thedp.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  5. ^ "Hall of Excellence Past Inductees – St. Joseph's Prep Alumni". sjprepalumni.org. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  6. ^ Jensen, Mike (March 25, 2004). "Widener shaped Martelli's quest The Class of 1976 point guard was a prominent presence even then. And he loved to pass the ball". articles.philly.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Phil Martelli '76 to be Inducted into Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame". Widener University Athletics. 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  8. ^ a b c "Martelli Among the Honorees at Widener's Hall of Fame Induction". Saint Joseph's University. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  9. ^ Kohhler, Katie Bambi (2017-09-08). "Phil Martelli still driven by Norristown connections". The Mercury. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  10. ^ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Geno Auriemma". www.hoophall.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  11. ^ "1985-86 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  12. ^ a b Mulligan, Ryan. "Martelli more than a basketball coach on Hawk Hill". The Hawk News. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  13. ^ Diamos, Jason (1996-03-29). "Nebraska Defies Crowd In N.I.T." The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  14. ^ "1996-97 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  15. ^ a b "Jameer Nelson College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  16. ^ "Jameer Nelson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  17. ^ "Delonte West Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  18. ^ "Dwayne Jones | Forward-Center | Cleveland Cavaliers | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  19. ^ "2000-01 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  20. ^ "2002-03 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  21. ^ "2003-04 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  22. ^ "2003-04 Men's Atlantic 10 Conference Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  23. ^ "Saint Joseph's vs. Oklahoma State Box Score (Men), March 27, 2004". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  24. ^ "N.C.A.A. Penalizes St. Joseph's In Aftermath of Betting Scandal; College Loses Third Place in National Basketball Tournament Because of Charges Against Three Players". The New York Times. August 15, 1961. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  25. ^ "ESPN.com - Martelli joins St. Joe's Nelson as Naismith winner".
  26. ^ "South Carolina 60-57 Saint Joseph's (Mar 31, 2005) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  27. ^ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Jack Ramsay". www.hoophall.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g "Phil Martelli - Head Coach - Men's Basketball Coaches". Saint Joseph's University. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  29. ^ a b "St. Joseph's Men's Basketball Coaches". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  30. ^ Upi (1982-11-09). "Bill Ferguson, 85, Was Coach At St. Joseph's for 25 Years". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  31. ^ "Mar 20, 2006 - Hofstra 77 at Saint Joseph's 75 - RealGM NCAA Box Score". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  32. ^ "2007-08 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  33. ^ "2013-14 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  34. ^ "Saint Joseph's vs. Connecticut Box Score (Men), March 20, 2014". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  35. ^ "2014 NCAA tournament: Bracket, scores, stats, records | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  36. ^ "Phil Martelli: DON'T CALL ME COACH -- A Lesson Plan for Life". Archived from the original on 2016-02-16.
  37. ^ "Hawk Talk Airs Wednesday and Thursday on Comcast SportsNet". Saint Joseph's University. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  38. ^ "Saint Joseph's coach agrees to 4-year extension". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  39. ^ "O'Brien/UAB/Saint Joseph's saga comes to an end finally". Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
  40. ^ Ravert, Eddie. "St. Joseph's Basketball: Phil Martelli Becomes Winningest Coach in Hawks History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  41. ^ "Phil Martelli Receives Contract Extension from SJU". Saint Joseph's University. 2015-10-29. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  42. ^ Mitchell, John N. (2015-10-29). "St. Joe's Phil Martelli gets multiyear contract extension". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  43. ^ "Saint Joseph's 87-74 VCU (Mar 13, 2016) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  44. ^ "2015-16 St. Joseph's Hawks Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  45. ^ "Saint Joseph's Hawks Men's Basketball Index". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  46. ^ Mike Jensen (2018-03-19). "Phil Martelli fired by St. Joseph's after 24 years as head coach". philly.com. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  47. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.sjuhawks.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  48. ^ a b c d Bradley, Michael (2025-02-06). "Former Saint Joe's Basketball Coach Phil Martelli Is Onto His Next Chapter". Main Line Today. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  49. ^ a b c "Martelli to Receive NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Leadership". National Association of Basketball Coaches. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  50. ^ Staff, NBC10 (3 June 2019). "Phil Martelli to Be Assistant Coach at Michigan, Source Says". NBC 10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2019-06-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  51. ^ Jensen, Mike (11 December 2019). "Michigan suits Phil Martelli fine. But it's not St. Joseph's; it's not home". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  52. ^ "Phil Martelli will be Michigan's head coach during Juwan Howard's suspension". mLive. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  53. ^ "Michigan 75-69 Ohio State (6 Mar, 2022) Game Recap - ESPN (UK)". ESPN. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  54. ^ "Michigan 87-70 Michigan State (Mar 1, 2022) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  55. ^ "Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard has heart surgery, Phil Martelli is interim coach".
  56. ^ "Michigan fires coach Howard after 8-24 season". ESPN.com. 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  57. ^ Simpson, Ariel (2024-11-09). "Former St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli makes his broadcast debut as a Fox analyst". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  58. ^ Neiburg, Jeff (2024-11-01). "Phil Martelli has a new podcast and it's not just about basketball: 'There will be ripples from this'". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  59. ^ "Four generations of Title IX: Judy Marra Martelli". 23 June 2012.
  60. ^ "Immaculata teams will join Basketball Hall". 6 April 2014.
  61. ^ "Bryant University Names Phil Martelli, Jr. Head Coach of Men's Basketball Program | Bryant News". news.bryant.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  62. ^ "Penn State Athletics Official Athletics Website". Penn State - Official Athletics Website. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  63. ^ "Saint Joseph's University Basketball Head Coach Phil Martelli Named New National Chair of Coaches vs. Cancer Council". atlantic10.com. 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  64. ^ "Martelli Among the Honorees at Widener's Hall of Fame Induction". Saint Joseph's University. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
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