Eddie Martin turned GHSA basketball on its head last month, leaving the program he built at Norcross for the head-coaching job at Greater Atlanta Christian. After amassing an incredible 170-18 record and winning the last three Class 5A state titles at the helm of the Blue Devils, Martin decided to return to the school where his coaching career began 30 years ago.
“I found out [about the offer] about a week before and I knew it would be hard [for him] to turn down,” said Norcross Athletic Director Kirk Barton. “In this situation, he is basically five miles from his house.”
Martin left a legacy at Norcross that will live forever. But with assistant Jesse McMillan hired soon after, the Blue Devils are hoping they don’t miss a beat. Meanwhile, GAC fans believe the return of Martin may turn their already solid basketball program into a powerhouse like Norcross.
MCMILLAN IN CHARGE
It didn’t take long for Barton to select Martin’s replacement. McMillan was hired less than one week after Martin’s departure.
“We had three assistants on staff who we thought could do the job,” Barton said. “We talked to them and felt like Jesse had been here the longest and he expressed the true professionalism to take the reigns of the program.”
McMillan got to work immediately, meeting with all of the players and parents within the first 24 hours of his time as head coach.
“They all knew me as an assistant coach,” he said. “I had to speak to them in a different role. I have very good relationships with those kids.”
But after six years under Martin as an assistant, he isn’t planning to change much in his quest for a fourth straight title. Bigtime recruit Tariq Muhammad leads the way at point guard for a talented team.
“It’s going to be the same type of team that we’ve put out on the floor the last several years,” McMillan said. “Very intense on the defensive and we’re going to rely on the transition game. … I think I’m in a good situation with a lot of experience at the guard position. As a new coach, that’s really important.”
OVER AT GAC
Martin comes to a program fresh off one of its best seasons ever. The Spartans were 17-0 in region play and 26-4 overall last season under Mike Mitchell, but were upset in the second round of the state tournament by Coosa, 85-82. Mitchell left GAC for a head-coaching job in his hometown after the school year, leaving the door open for Martin’s return.
Plenty of talent returns for Martin this winter, as the team loses just four seniors. Among the returnees are shooting guard Taylor Metzger and dynamic forward Taylor Wiedeman, who averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. At GAC, expectations have never been higher.
“Coach Martin’s preeminence in Georgia basketball is widely known,” said GAC President Dr. David Fincher. “We are delighted to welcome him home to where he began his career as a young teacher and coach.”
Bagriansky can be reached at jbagriansky@scoreatl.com.
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