John Currie didn't even try and keep Frank Martin.
The Kansas State athletic director and Martin didn't see eye-to-eye, and that's ultimately what led to Martin's departure to South Carolina, multiple sources told CBSSports.com.
Martin led the Wildcats to four NCAA tournaments in his five-year tenure in Manhattan. In each of the four appearances, Martin and K-State won at least one tournament game.
I'd like to see Currie find someone who can duplicate that success.
Winning isn't easy in Manhattan, Kan. Just ask Jim Wooldridge, who was 83-90 in his six seasons at the helm from 2000-2006. He finished between seventh and 10th in the league each season. Dana Altman is a heck of a coach. He was 68-54 in his four years at K-State and went to the NCAA tournament once. Tom Asbury? He was 85-88.
Lon Kruger was the last coach to have any legitimate success, and that was back in the late 1980s.
Martin is intense. He's fiery. But he's an old-school guy who isn't afraid to speak his mind. And he wins.
Martin's record was 117-54 and 50-32 in Big 12 play. There were those who questioned the hire after he was elevated following Bob Huggins' departure to West Virginia, insinuating the lone reason was to keep guys like Michael Beasley and Bill Walker. However, Martin proved he could coach. Really coach.
Without Beasley and Walker, he has gone to an Elite Eight and won five NCAA tournament games.
Now Martin is off to South Carolina, where he'll likely turn that program around. He's closer to his home in Miami -- and received a six-year, $12 million deal.
Now Currie will have the unenviable task of trying to replace Martin.
My guess? It's back to mediocrity for the Wildcats.
