He served as the head coach at Texas Christian University (TCU) from 1953 to 1966, compiling a record of 74–64–7.
After graduating from TCU in 1932, Martin began his coaching career at El Paso High School in 1934, where he won two district championships.
In 1936, he moved across the state to coach at Lufkin High School, where he compiled a record of 66–10, with four district championships.
After his 1961 team upset a previously undefeated Texas, Longhorns coach Darrell Royal famously described the Frogs as "cockroaches".
[citation needed] After a disappointing 2–8 season in 1966, he resigned as head football coach.